Attempt To Commit Murder Charges Filed In Connection With Weekend Pursuit

Attempt to Commit Murder Charges stem from this incident at Eveland Access in Mahaska County on May 28th.

Oskaloosa, Iowa- Arthur Wessels of Oskaloosa is facing multiple charges in connection with a domestic incident and subsequent high speed chase. Original Story HERE.

In court documents obtained by Osky News, Wessels is being charged with Willful Injury Causing Bodily Injury (Class D Felony), Domestic Assault with Intent to Inflict Serious Injury (Aggravated Misdemeanor) in connection with the original call. Attempt to Commit Murder (Class B Felony), Felony Eluding (Class D Felony), OWI (3rd Offense Class D Felony), Reckless Driving, Driving on the wrong side of a 2 lane highway, Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle and speeding are the remaining charges.

A Class B Felony carries a maximum of 25 years in prison. A Class D Felony carries a maximum of 5 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $7,500. Aggravated Misdemeanor is punishable with a maximum of up to 2 years and a fine not to exceed $5,000.

In the domestic incident complaint and affidavit, officers state that when they were dispatched to the residence, a female had fled a residence where she had been in a physical fight with the accused.

“I noticed that the left side of her face and ear was bright red. I also saw that she had two places on her throat that were deeply bruised red and purple and were swollen.” Deputies state in their signed affidavit. Deputies state they were told by the victim that she had been grabbed by the throat during their fight.

After “he [the suspect] was given his Miranda Rights” he was “asked about how [the victim] sustained the injuries to her throat, and he admitted that he grabbed her by the throat and told her that he didn’t want this.” This is according to the papers filed in connection with the above charges.

Also in court documents, Wessels is being charged with Attempt to Commit Murder. This happened after the domestic call when Deputies state they attempted to pull the vehicle over heading West out of Beacon.

In the affidavit, a Mahaska County Deputy states, “I activated my lights and siren as Wessels continued West out of town. This evolved into a high speed chase which ended up at 2890 Galeston Avenue, commonly known as Eveland Access, a county park. There were about 30-45 people standing around the boat ramp and parking lot area, many of them children. As Wessels slowed I pulled in front of him to prevent his escape and possibly running over a bystander. As I parked my squad car it was about 3 feet from Wessels Car. Wessels then rammed my squad car and pushed it sideways towards the Des Moines River. Quickly I got out and at gunpoint ordered Wessels out of the car, while he was still trying to push my car. Wessels eventually quit and was forced out of his car.”

According to the affidavit, after Wessels had been removed from his car, he spoke with the pursuing Mahaska County Deputy. “Later I would ask Wessels why he did not stop for me? He replied ‘I was trying to push you in the river, and then I was going into the river myself with the car and the dog.'”

Wessels is being held on $60,000 bond on the charge of Attempt to Commit Murder, $5,000 on the Willful Injury Charge, $2,000 on the Domestic Abuse, $10,000 on the OWI 3rd offense, and $5,000 over the felony eluding. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 7, 2011 at 10:30 a.m for a preliminary hearing.

A criminal charge is merely a criminal charge and not an indication of guilt. All suspects should be considered innocent until proven guilty.