Bubble Bath Ambush Foiled

A Rusk County nurse has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly prepared his wife a bubble bath, complete with candles and music, then tried to electrocute her by pushing a radio into the tub.

William Joseph Wolfe, 34, an emergency room nurse at Henderson Memorial Hospital, was out on $40,000 bond Monday. He was arrested Thursday night at his residence on a second-degree charge of criminal attempt at murder.

His wife, Teresa Wolfe, told police her husband had moved the radio from its usual place in the bathroom to a bench near the bathtub with an extension cord running into another room, according to an affidavit.

She said she caught the radio before it hit the water and threw it out of the way. She told police that her husband's reaction was "not normal" and she became suspicious. She later discovered that her husband had accessed Web sites on the home computer dealing with bathtub electrocution, according to the affidavit.

"This is a strange case," said Henderson Chief of Police Randy Freeman. "Its the kind of case you would expect to see on a Columbo episode."

According to the affidavit, Wolfe purchased a life insurance policy on his wife five months ago.

Henderson Memorial Hospital Director of Human Resources Maria Stephens said Wolfe has been with the facility for more than two years.

"Mr. Wolfe has been a very good employee and we are shocked at what has happened. He is in our prayers," she said.

Wolfe has been placed on unpaid leave of absence pending the outcome of the case.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.