Randal Cunitz allegedly tried to kill his wife. Then he took a nap.
The 59-year-old Wisconsin man is accused of attempting to strangle his wife at their Sparta home before police arrived and found him asleep on the couch, according to a criminal complaint obtained by local CBS affiliate WKBT. When a paramedic tried to wake him with a sternum rub, Cunitz allegedly grabbed the responder by the hair and struck them in the nose.
Background
The violent episode unfolded on April 27 when Cunitz's wife called 911 at 3:33 p.m., telling dispatchers her husband had tried to kill her. A Monroe County Sheriff's Office deputy arrived at the couple's home and spoke with the woman, who recounted that Cunitz was intoxicated and had allegedly attempted to strangle her.
The wife told investigators that Cunitz slammed her head into the floor repeatedly during the attack. She also provided police with a chilling piece of evidence: a recording she made of the alleged assault. In the audio, Cunitz can allegedly be heard saying, "Kill her, kill her, kill that motherf—ing b—."
The Investigation
After obtaining permission to search the home, authorities found Cunitz asleep on the couch. He did not wake immediately, prompting medical personnel to be called to check on him.
When a paramedic performed a sternum rub—a standard pain-stimulus technique used to rouse unresponsive patients—Cunitz woke up and allegedly attacked. According to the complaint, he grabbed the paramedic by the hair or ear and hit them in the nose. Officers had to physically restrain Cunitz, with one deputy warning him that pepper spray would be deployed if he continued resisting.
The warning went unheeded. Police say Cunitz continued to struggle and was sprayed with pepper spray before being taken into custody. At a hospital, where he was treated after the altercation, Cunitz reportedly remained "non-compliant" with medical staff.
The Charges
Cunitz appeared in court on Wednesday for his arraignment and pleaded not guilty to six felony charges: attempted murder, strangulation and suffocation, false imprisonment, and battery to a healthcare provider. He also faces five misdemeanor counts including battery, resisting an officer, and disorderly conduct.
He was booked into the Monroe County Jail on $250,000 bond and remains in custody pending further proceedings.
Key Takeaways
- Cunitz allegedly attempted to strangle his wife and slammed her head into the floor multiple times
- The victim's recorded audio captures Cunitz allegedly saying, "Kill her, kill her, kill that motherf—ing b—"
- After being found asleep, Cunitz allegedly assaulted a paramedic who tried to wake him with a sternum rub
- He faces six felony charges including attempted murder and strangulation
- Cunitz remains held on $250,000 bond
What's Next
Cunitz is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 12 for further proceedings. The case remains under investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.