Verdict in Felony Domestic Battery Trial

Man Convicted of Running Over Wife with Car

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office has announced a guilty verdict in a recent domestic battery trial that began Monday. The case stemmed from a May incident in which the defendant ran his wife over with his car following an argument, fracturing her leg. Sentencing is set for December 13, 2017 and the defendant faces a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

Tyler Stoltz, 52, from Reno, was found guilty on one count of Domestic Battery By a Probationer with Use of a Deadly Weapon Resulting in Substantial Bodily Harm on Wednesday evening in District Court. The jury deliberated just over an hour before returning a verdict.  Stoltz was arrested by the Reno Police Department (RPD) in June, after an investigation into the May domestic incident.  On May 20, 2017, RPD officers responded to a report of a vehicle versus pedestrian accident. When officers arrived they encountered Stoltz and his wife, who had been hit and run over by the car Stoltz was driving.  The victim was assisted by REMSA and the Reno Fire Department, who removed her from under the car and transported her to the hospital where she was treated for a fractured leg.   Responding officers quickly determined that the call involved a domestic dispute between Stoltz and his wife and began an investigation to determine if the accident was deliberate.   Based on witness interviews and evidence from the scene, Stoltz was ultimately arrested and this office filed formal criminal charges against him. At the time of his arrest, Stoltz was on probation for Felony Attempted Home Invasion, from a 2015 case.

During trial, Deputy District Attorney (DDA) Nathan MacLellan presented evidence that showed Stoltz’ actions were deliberate.  He argued that Stoltz’s in court testimony and manner upon the stand showed that he viewed Ms. Stoltz as his property and testified that in the weeks prior to the incident, Ms. Stoltz informed him that she wanted a divorce. DDA MacLellan argued that on the day of the incident when she decided to walk away from Stoltz’s abuse, he followed in the car and was heard demanding that she “get back in the car, or I’ll run you over.” When she refused, he followed through with his threat.  Witnesses said that the car accelerated and swerved in Ms. Stoltz direction, striking her and causing her lower leg to break completely in half and tearing her Anterior Cruciate Ligament.