Man Accused Of Shooting, Holding Wife Hostage Gives Jailhouse Interview
RANCHO CUCAMONGA (CBSLA.com) — A man accused of shooting his wife and holding her hostage for almost a month said in a jailhouse interview with CBS2 that he's innocent.
Michael Venegas made his first court appearance after police say his wife escaped weeks of physical and psychological torment.
Venegas was arrested at an apartment complex in Rancho Cucamonga Sunday after his wife was hospitalized for a gunshot wound to the chest.
The woman told police she was shot on April 1, but could not get help as she alleges her husband was holding her hostage for almost a month. She also accuses Venegas of threatening her and their 7-year-old if she tried to escape.
"The couple got into some sort of an argument at home. She went into the other bedroom to pack up some stuff to leave for the night and he wheeled in with his wheelchair and actually shot her with a 9 mm gun," said a spokesperson for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
At the West Valley Detention Center, Venegas said in an interview Friday with CBS2 that his "wife's story is all a lie."
No recording equipment was allowed inside during the interview but Venegas was allowed to speak freely.
He also said security footage from restaurants and other businesses would prove that he was getting along with her.
According to CBS2's Tom Wait, Venegas repeatedly said his wife and son were out of his control, going grocery shopping without him on several occasions, but she never tried to get away.
But when pressed about the gunshot wound, Wait said Venegas would not answer how or when she was wounded.
Wait also reports that Venegas was vague with questions about when he last saw or spoke with his wife.
Venegas, who is confined to a wheelchair, says a car accident led to his condition.
In court Thursday, he asked the judge to lower his bail, which was set at $900,000.
Attempts made by CBS2 to reach Venegas' wife were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Venegas said he does not yet have an attorney but is eager to get one so he can prove his innocence.
