Husband Assaults Wife, Confesses, then Claims at Trial that He is the Victim

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Major Crimes Unit obtained convictions against a man who assaulted his wife and handcuffed her for several hours.  Michael Wayne Norton, 44, was convicted of Aggravated Kidnapping, Rape, Aggravated Assault, and Domestic Assault.  Judge Steve Sword set the case for sentencing on December 13.

In a two-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Jeannine Guzolek and Sean Roberts explained to the jury that on October 10, 2022, Ofc. Carson Kiser with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call for a domestic disturbance at a residence on Strawberry Plains Pike.  At the scene, the victim told officers that her husband, Norton, returned home from work the previous day and began strangling her in the kitchen.  When the victim told her son to call 911, Norton destroyed the victim’s phone.  Norton then strangled the victim until she lost consciousness.  When she came to, Norton punched her in the stomach repeatedly, put handcuffs on her, and pointed a revolver at her head.  Over the course of four hours, Norton threatened to kill the victim, their children, and himself because the victim wanted a divorce.  The victim pleaded with Norton, saying she would stay with Norton if he stopped and let her go.  Norton eventually left the scene, and the victim called 911.  KCSO Detective Logan Sammons interviewed Norton after he was arrested, and Norton confessed to the crime.  While in custody awaiting trial, Norton apologized and begged the victim to drop the charges, but at trial, he testified that he lied to police and that the victim was the one who abused him. 

“This defendant has been held accountable for his crimes because the victim had the courage to come forward,” said DA Allen.

Aggravated Kidnapping and Rape are Class B felonies carrying a punishment from eight to twelve years in prison without the possibility of parole.  Aggravated Assault is a Class C felony that carries a punishment between three and six years.  At sentencing, prosecutors will argue for an enhanced sentence given the severity of the crime.  Legal Secretary Connie Watts aided in the prosecution of this case.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.