Wife survives head blows, crash into pole

SIKESTON, Mo. — A Sikeston man was charged with two counts of first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action following a bizarre chain of events set in motion Tuesday when he learned he and his wife were being evicted.

The charges stem from two attempts by Rodger D. Tillman to kill his wife, Linda, according to a probable-cause statement by detective Jerry Bledsoe of the Scott County Sheriff's Department.

Tuesday, Rodger Tillman and his wife were at their 389 Sandywood Road home discussing their living situation because they were being evicted, the statement said. Rodger Tillman later told police he'd said they had no place to go and considered suicide to be their only option.

Gripping a wooden tool he described as a sledgehammer or ax handle, Rodger Tillman began to strike his wife, hitting her twice on the top of the head.

When the blows didn't kill her, Rodger Tillman loaded his wife, who was bleeding profusely, into their 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix and headed for Missouri Delta Medical Center.

On the way to the hospital, he intentionally struck a utility pole at North Ingram and Campanella streets at about 70 miles per hour in an attempt to kill them both, the statement said.

The vehicle mowed the pole down, but the car was still drivable, so he continued on to the hospital.

Officers with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety arrested him a short while later.

Bond was set at $25,000 cash.

Linda Tillman received only minor injuries.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245