Detroit-area man arraigned in amputation of wife's arm

7/7/2006

MONROE - A Romulus, Mich., man was arraigned yesterday on two felony charges related to the amputation of his wife's right arm, Monroe County authorities said.

Stephen Humphrey appeared before 1st District Court Judge Terrence Bronson and was arraigned on the charges of operating while intoxicated, causing serious injury; and driving with a suspended license, causing serious injury, said sheriff's Deputy Dan Zdybek, the case's lead investigator. Both charges carry five-year maximum sentences.

His bond was set at $100,000, Deputy Zdybek said. He remained in the Monroe County jail last night.

Meanwhile, Brenda Humphrey remained in fair condition yesterday in St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ypsilanti, Mich., a spokesman there said. The deputy said she had lost most of her right arm in the Saturday night accident; after surgery, about half her upper arm remained.

The strange case stems from an incident that occurred Saturday after the pair visited a bar in Milan, Mich. Mr. Humphrey initially told deputies he dropped off his wife in a rural part of Milan Township so she could relieve herself, then returned to find her in a ditch, missing her arm.

Mrs. Humphrey told deputies the two argued, and he told her to get out of their Ford F-150 pickup truck. When she reached back in to get her cell phone, her husband accelerated, dragging her, then running over her. At that point, her arm was amputated, the deputy said.

Her arm is still missing.

Deputy Zdydek said he's never handled a case like this one.

"I can't say I've ever investigated anything quite as unique as this," he said.

Mr. Humphrey's pretrial hearing is scheduled for July 17 before Judge Mark Braunlich. His preliminary examination is scheduled for July 18.