Suspect says he fell on wife in fight
Michael L. Schuette told police he lay on top of his wife after both fell during an argument in the back yard in Ewa Beach so she could not move and would be forced to listen to what he had to say, according to court records.
Schuette, 45, is charged with second-degree murder in the Sept. 10 death of Victoria M. Schuette, 49. Schuette made his initial appearance on the charge yesterday in Honolulu District Court.
The Honolulu Medical Examiner determined Victoria Schuette was strangled, and ruled the death a homicide. Honolulu police initially classified the case an unattended death after Michael Schuette allegedly pushed his wife and she hit her head.
At the time, police said Michael Schuette weighed 250-260 pounds, while Victoria Schuette weighed 130 pounds.
Michael Schuette told police his wife had filed for divorce and repeatedly asked him to move out of their Hoomahana Street home.
Victoria Schuette filed for divorce April 19, according to court records.
On Sept. 10, Michael Schuette told police his wife started removing plants that he had planted and arranged at their residence earlier in the day.
When he tried to prevent her from continuing to remove plants, he said, they both slipped and fell.
He said he positioned his body on top of his wife, who was lying face down in the muddy grass. He told police his chest was directly over his wife's shoulder, neck and head areas and that he remained on top of her for about five to 10 minutes.
Schuette remains in custody in lieu of $500,000 bail. He is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing Wednesday.