GILLETTE, Wyo. — A man accused of attempting to murder his girlfriend by slitting her throat with a box cutter will appear for a preliminary hearing next week, Campbell County court records say.
Edward W. Rusher, 47, is charged with felony attempted second-degree murder and domestic battery, with prosecutors alleging he slit a 52-year-old woman’s throat with a box cutter on Nov. 21, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
The alleged assault took place on Gray Road east of Gillette shortly before 7 p.m. According to the affidavit, deputies responded to the residence after receiving notification from Crook County about a disconnected phone call where a woman claimed her throat had been cut.
When they arrived, deputies found the woman with a cut on her neck, a rag soaked in blood, a door that had been kicked off its hinges and a knocked-over dresser. The woman was taken to the hospital for treatment and identified Rusher as her assailant, the affidavit states.
She later told deputies of an argument between Rusher and herself after she allegedly confronted him over potential infidelity. He allegedly took her phone and broke it before throwing items at her, per the affidavit, which says Rusher followed her when she retreated into a bedroom.
According to the woman’s account, Rusher kicked the closed door and threw more items at her. He stood over her when she fell to the floor and retrieved a box cutter from his pocket.
The affidavit states Rusher told the woman that he planned to end her life before allegedly cutting her throat with the box cutter. The woman, however, fought back “with everything she had” and managed to get Rusher in a headlock. She let him go before he lost consciousness, at which point he fled.
Gillette police officers found Rusher on Dogwood Avenue. He had blood on his face and initially lied about its origin, telling officers that he had crashed a car. He then changed his story and said he didn’t know where the blood had come from, the affidavit says.
Rusher admitted to arguing with the woman earlier in the day. He claimed the argument had been over him refusing to have intercourse with her. He denied harming the woman, suggesting they had “fight clubbed” themselves, according to the affidavit.
When investigators informed him he could be charged with aggravated assault, Rusher asked why they weren’t charging him with attempted murder and said they should, the affidavit states.
Court documents state Rusher will appear for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 2, where a judge will decide if there is sufficient probable cause to send the case to District Court for further proceedings. According to Wyoming State Statute, attempted second-degree murder is punishable by a maximum of life imprisonment, a $10,000 fine or both.
