Utah man says he shot neighbor who "telepathically raped" his wife; ruled fit for trial

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

CBS/IStockphoto

(CBS/KXNT) CENTERVILLE, Utah - A Utah man has been declared competent to stand trial despite doubts surrounding his mental health, after he told police he shot his neighbor for "telepathically raping" his wife.

Michael Selleneit, 54, is charged with attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm, CBS Las Vegas reports.

Police say the 34-year-old Centerville man shot neighbor Tony Pierce, 41, last October while he worked in his yard.

According to the Salt Lake City Tribune, Selleneit told police he was acting in self-defense and that Pierce "telepathically raped" his wife on numerous occasions. Selleneit said Pierce had also mentally threatened him.

Court documents obtained by the Salt Lake Tribune stated that Selleneit has been diagnosed with what was referred to as an "organic brain disorder with a labile affect, periodic delusional thought process, poor judgment [and] poor impulse control," possibly attributed to a head injury sustained in a car crash during his formative years.

Selleneit's defense attorney says his client should be committed to Utah State Hospital, rather than sent to prison.

"[He said that] Eddie Van Halen comes into his mind and helps him occasionally," Julie George told the Tribune. "Those are about as bizarre as I think a delusion can get."

However, two out of the three doctors evaluating Selleneit on behalf of the court found him fit for trial.

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by otimus October 1, 2012 10:21 AM EDT: Eddie Van Halen comes into my mind too, usually after listening to his music for a couple of hours and drinking alot of tequila!!!!; Reply to this comment


by theskeptical1 October 1, 2012 10:20 AM EDT: Hey, the discrepancy between 34 years old and 54 years old is only a 20 year error. That is well within the accuracy range for CBS 'News'.; Reply to this comment


by WJBradley October 1, 2012 7:30 AM EDT: Court documents obtained by the Salt Lake Tribune stated that Selleneit has been diagnosed with what was referred to as an "organic brain disorder with a labile affect, periodic delusional thought process, poor judgment [and] poor impulse control," possibly attributed to a head injury sustained in a car crash during his formative years. The question should be "Why did he have access to firearms under these circumstances?".; Reply to this comment


by Aine57 September 30, 2012 11:07 PM EDT: Was it illegitimate or legitimate telepathic rape?; Reply to this comment

by retired_ranger September 30, 2012 9:06 PM EDT

Another Good Mormon!!!!

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by WiseAsOwl October 1, 2012 10:39 AM EDT: Please clarify yourself.... (retired ranger?? I'll bet you haven't worked for more than a week during your whole life...)


by scottyusa123 September 30, 2012 6:53 AM EDT: You just can't make this stuff up. Can you imagine the problems this guys is going to have in jail? Telepathic sex does not exist there. It's the real thing; Reply to this comment


by FormerUSMCSergeant September 29, 2012 3:13 PM EDT: One wonders how someone this wanked finds a wife in the first place.....; Reply to this comment