LEBANON, Ind. — A central Indiana man charged with murder in connection with the March death of his wife is one of three candidates who advanced in a primary election this week for a township board.
Andrew Wilhoite of Lebanon (40), received 60 out of the total 276 votes Tuesday night for Republicans in three of the Clinton Township Board positions, according to Boone County election results.
State officials have confirmed that Indiana has three township boards. The Indianapolis Star reports that only three people ran for Republican primaries in the local area. No candidates were filed to run for Democratic primaries.
Wilhoite was arrested in late March in the death of 41-year-old Elizabeth “Nikki” Wilhoite. He’s been held since then in the Boone County Jail without bond.
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Indiana State Police claim that Andrew Wilhoite knocked Nikki Wilhoite unconscious with a blunt instrument. According to police, he drove their car to a nearby creek where he dumped the body of Nikki Wilhoite.
Police found Nikki Wilhoite’s body on March 26 partially submerged in about 3 feet (1 meter) of water.
According to court records, Nikki Wilhoite requested a divorce from her husband on March 17. Both were married for twelve years.
Andrew Wilhoite’s jury trial is scheduled for Aug. 29, online court records show.
His name would be struck from the ballot immediately if he is found guilty of a felonious offense before Nov. 8. The Clinton Township Board has not been filed by Democrats.
“Under our legal system, every person is innocent until proven guilty,” said Brad King, co-director of the Indiana Election Division.
A message seeking comment on the charges Wilhoite faces was left Friday by The Associated Press for Wilhoite’s attorney.
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