Published: June 12, 2009 08:50 am      

Police charge Zionsville man in violent attack on ex-wife

Whitestown — A Zionsville man faces four charges, including attempted murder, after a violent domestic dispute with his ex-wife Thursday.

Michael Stayer, 31, is being held in the Boone County Jail for attempted murder, aggravated battery, domestic battery and battery with a deadly weapon. Beth Stayer, 33, was in Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis Thursday evening. Police said she was in grave condition.

Whitestown Police responded to a report of domestic violence at 9:05 a.m. in the 6300 block of El Paso Street — part of a new townhouse development in Anson. The police logs indicate that the call came from Beth Stayer. The log entry said a man had been injured by a woman with a hammer.

Whitestown Police Department Chief Dennis Anderson said when police arrived, Michael Stayer was bleeding from his hand. The officers determined his ex-wife, the owner of the townhouse, was inside, and she was found with massive head injuries.

Anderson said the only weapon believed to be a part of the dispute was the hammer mentioned in the 911 call.

Anderson believes Mike Stayer may have come to the home to pick up their two young children, who were in the residence during the dispute. Stayer’s ex-wife had lived there for about two weeks.

“We’re early in the investigation, and right now we’re just trying to process the scene,” Anderson said Thursday afternoon.

Stayer is being held without bond.

Attempted murder is a Class A felony, and Michael Stayer could face up to 50 years in prison if he is convicted. Aggregated battery, a Class B felony, carries a sentence of up to 20 years. Battery with a deadly weapon, a Class C felony, carries a sentence of up to eight years. Domestic battery becomes a Class D felony with children present, which carries a sentence of up to three years.