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Nov 3, 2009 11:20 pm US/Pacific
Man, 91, Accused Of Brutal Murder Attempt On Wife
ROSEVILLE (CBS13) ―
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Sally Montgomery says that Claude Montgomery had assaulted her previously, but never with the viciousness of the latest incident.
CBS
A 91-year-old Roseville resident is behind bars after allegedly trying to kill his wife in a brutal assault, and the victim spoke exclusively to CBS13 about the shocking attack that nearly ended her life.
Claude Montgomery allegedly held a knife to his 78-year-old wife's throat and brutally attacked her, leaving behind bruises and the horrific memories of a narrow escape from the man who swore to love and protect her.
"He had the knife right here," said Sally Larson Montgomery, motioning to her neck. "I looked at him and said, 'Why are you doing this?' And he was laughing. He was grinning. He had this clown face on him. I looked him right in the eye and I could see it in his face: He had me right where he wanted me and he was in total control."
The alleged attack began when an argument over who to invite to Thanksgiving dinner escalated into a physical confrontation between the married couple. Claude grabbed Sally on the arm and pushed her to the ground, slamming her face into the floor, she said.
Bruises in the shape of fingerprints are still clearly visible on her arm.
"My nose was streaming blood, both sides," she said. "I really thought my nose was broken."
A stroke left Sally little strength in her left arm, but she fought back, slamming a telephone into Claude's head when he loosened his grip on her. She tried to get away and call police despite threats from Claude, she said.
"He said, 'If the police come, you're dead,' and he stuck the knife like this," Sally said, pointing to her upper chest. "He said, 'I'm telling you, you're dead. You're dead.'"
Sally broke down when trying to describe how she survived the encounter. "The only thing I can think is… God's hand was there. That's how I feel. When he let me go and I went into the bathroom and locked the door, I said, 'Thank you, God.' I just felt it."
Claude Montgomery allegedly did not give up easily to police, who had to knock down several doors in order to reach him. Claude was booked into the Placer County Jail without bail on charges of attempted murder.
Sally said that Claude had assaulted her once before she was married and once about six years ago. She said she feels foolish she didn't leave him before this latest incident.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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