Boone County, Indiana – A man from Boone County faced one count of murder after the tragic death of his wife, but the jurors found him guilty of voluntary manslaughter during the trial. The verdict was reached this week following deliberations on the case of Andrew Wilhoite and the death of his wife, Elizabeth “Nikki” Wilhoite.
According to court documents, Nikki did not show up for work on March 25, 2022, after filing for divorce just a week earlier. When authorities contacted Andrew Wilhoite, he claimed that his wife had been drinking heavily the night before and that they had a heated argument that turned physical. Blood was discovered in various areas of their home during the police investigation.
Wilhoite told investigators that his wife had confronted him about an affair and a possible separation, leading to a physical altercation where he claimed self-defense. He later admitted to hiding her body near a creek after she became unresponsive following the altercation. An autopsy revealed that Nikki Wilhoite died from blunt force trauma to the head.
Despite the murder charge, the jury had difficulty reaching a unanimous decision during the trial. The judge instructed them to consider the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter if they believed the death resulted from “sudden heat.” Eventually, the jury convicted Wilhoite of voluntary manslaughter, a Level 2 felony carrying a prison sentence of 10 to 30 years.
Wilhoite is scheduled for sentencing on June 4, 2024. The case highlights the complexities of domestic disputes and the legal nuances involved in determining appropriate charges and verdicts in such cases.