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Triple amputee attacked wife, authorities say

By THOMAS LAKE
Published September 13, 2006

PORT RICHEY - Michael Wiley has broken traffic laws across Pasco County for the past 22 years, even though he has no arms. Now he faces a charge of domestic battery.

Wiley was once convicted of kicking a state trooper with his good leg. This time, he is accused of striking his wife with his head.

On July 8, he and his wife of 17 years, Wendy, had a quarrel over a license tag at their home on San Miguel Drive, according to a sheriff's incident report. When Wendy tried to leave, witnesses said, Wiley shoved himself into her, colliding with her headfirst and causing her to knock over a lamp.

Then his daughter's 24-year-old boyfriend, Scotty Richards, stepped in.

"Since Michael has no arms or left leg, Scotty was attempting to hold him by his waist and shoulder," said a report by Pasco sheriff's Deputy Bradford Seltman. "Michael struggled with Scotty and fell back against the wall, causing a large hole behind the entry/exit door. Scotty held Michael on the floor until he calmed down."

The State Attorney's office filed the battery charge, a first-degree misdemeanor, on Monday. Wiley is still awaiting trial on drug charges and habitually driving with a revoked license. Division Director Mike Halkitis has said he will push for the maximum sentence of five years.

Wiley did not answer a reporter's call to his cell phone, and his voice mailbox was full. He lost the limbs after an accident involving an electrical transformer when he was 13. But he hasn't stopped moving.

This is how his mother, Spring Hill resident Susan Wiley, has explained his behavior in this past:

"He's proving to the world he's as good as ever."

Times staff writer Jamal Thalji contributed to this report.

[Last modified September 13, 2006, 01:28:17]