Husband arrested in attempted murder

BY COLBY FRAZIER
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested an 84-year-old man on Wednesday evening for allegedly attempting to murder his wife via carbon monoxide poisoning while simultaneously attempting to take his own life.
Sgt. Alex Tipolt, a Sheriff’s Department spokesman, said when deputies arrived at the couples’ home in the 4700 block of Third Street in Carpinteria, they found a car parked in the driveway with its engine running. He said a hose led from the car’s exhaust pipe into the residence.

“Deputies contacted a male in the residence, and a female lying in her bed in a rear room,” Tipolt said.
He said both people were conscious and coherent when authorities arrived.
“Deputies were able to arrive early enough to stop the plot before it evolved,” Tipolt said.
The 85-year-old woman and her husband, identified as James Wheeler, were both transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
Wheeler was arrested at the scene. He was booked into county jail where he is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
Tipolt said authorities were notified of the situation by one of the couples’ neighbors.