A Louisiana man accused of trying to kill his wife, in part by attempting to strangle her with Christmas lights, has been slapped with a hefty bail and is barred from contacting the woman for the next 18 months.
Bail was set at $250,000 for 27-year-old Ritchi Mendoza during his appearance Monday in the Jefferson Parish Magistrate Court, Nola.com reported Monday. Mendoza was also hit with an 18-month order of protection barring him from making any contact with his wife or her family.
Mendoza, who called 911 before fleeing the residence where his wife was found, was arrested outside Baton Rouge last week on charges of attempted second-degree murder within hours of authorities discovering his wife beaten wife at their unlocked home in Metairie — about six miles west of New Orleans.
Upon entering the home on the morning of Feb. 22, a deputy quickly noticed an indication of a “violent struggle,” said the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, which also noted Mendoza’s wife had been stabbed in the neck and throat, according to Nola.com. In addition, her face was beaten and a string of Christmas lights was wrapped tightly around her neck, which led authorities to conclude someone had attempted to strangle her.
At the time of the incident, the couple had been married about eight months, and the Sheriff’s Office couldn’t find records of reported abuse linked to the pair.
The victim is recovering in a local hospital.
A motive has not yet been revealed.
