Accused of killing his wife wins local elections from prison

Andrew Wilhoit, a resident of Indiana, became one of three candidates to win the local Republican primary for Clinton Town Council.

According to NBC News,

The problem with Willworth's victory, however, is that he is accused of the murder of his cancer-stricken wife, for which he is in prison.

The man was detained earlier this year after allegedly killing his wife, Elizabeth Nikki Willwitt.

The suspect reportedly told authorities that the incident occurred in March, when he and his wife were arguing outside their home in March.

At some point during the conflict, Willowt hit his wife with a flower vase on the head, causing her to fall to the ground.

Authorities say the man confessed to putting his wife's body in his truck and driving her to a nearby stream, where he eventually dumped her.

The body of Elizabeth Wilhoit was found partially submerged in the stream on March 26.

“The basic principle is that under our legal system, everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” said Brad King, co-director of the Indiana Division of Elections.

“At this point, there has been no admission of guilt or conviction by a judge or jury. So there is nothing in the election law to prevent an accused person from continuing to run and whether they have been charged, arrested or imprisoned, whatever their status, remains eligible. until or unless he has been convicted of a criminal offense.”

So Willowett took the lead while he was being held in Bond County's Boone County Jail, and the 40-year-old received 60 of the 276 votes on Tuesday, while the other candidates received 110 and 106 votes, respectively.

Given that there are only three candidates competing for three open seats on the council, the accused is guaranteed his place in the local council.

But Wilhoit's jury trial, which begins in late August, will lead to his disqualification if he is ultimately found guilty of murder.

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