Indiana – An Indiana man who worked as a police officer in Ohio was sentenced to ten decades in prison after being convicted of multiple felonies, including the attempted murders of his wife, H. Linch, and Sheriff’s Deputy A. Bawers. The charges stem from a violent incident in December 2022 in Indiana.
According to court documents, the defendant, G. GuiIfoyIe, shot his then-23-year-old pregnant wife in the head outside their home during a severe blizzard. He then fled the scene on foot, carrying their 1-year-old daughter, who was only dressed in a onesie, exposing her to the freezing temperatures. A snowplow driver saw the defendant walking with the child and alerted authorities.
Deputy Bawers responded to the call and confronted the defendant. When he attempted to assist, the defendant opened fire, hitting the deputy’s bullet-resistant vest. The deputy returned fire, injuring the defendant and forcing him to drop his weapon and child. The toddler was unharmed and placed in protective custody.
The defendant’s injuries resulted in paraplegia and limited use of one arm. He was transported to a medical facility for treatment before being taken into custody. During interrogation, he claimed he was hallucinating during the shootings.
He attempted to use an insanity defense, claiming post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from his time as a police officer. However, his former police chief testified that the defendant played a minor role in the incident he mentioned, and the jury ultimately found him guilty but mentally ill.
The defendant’s spouse survived the shooting but was severely injured, including a permanent shunt in her skull and the loss of a toe due to frostbite. She addressed the defendant during the sentencing, thanking the responding deputy for saving her and her daughter.
She said, “There are no words to express how grateful I, my daughter, and my family are to you.” My daughter and I are now safe, and we and our family can move forward.”
