Miami Man, 78, Accused of Beating Wife With Piece of Lumber

A 78-year-old Miami man is facing attempted murder and battery charges after police say he hit his wife in the head with a piece of lumber multiple times.

Benito Nunez was taken into custody on Sunday, according to an arrest report.

The report said Nunez grabbed a piece of lumber from under his bed and walked into the living room where his wife, Maria Nunez, was sleeping on the couch and hit her on the head.

When Maria Nunez called out to her grandson for help, her husband hit her again, and she fell to the ground, the report said. Nunez hit her in the head a third time and walked away, the report said.

Maria Nunez suffered multiple fractures to her head and face, as well as swelling and bleeding to the brain, the report said. In bond court Monday, a prosecutor said Nunez told officers his wife had been poisoning him using cinnamon and he struck her out of vengeance.

Nunez was ordered held without bond. Attorney information wasn't available.

Contact Us