SHAKOPEE, Minn. - Charles Anthony "Tony" Maddox Jr. was formally charged with second-degree homicide Friday in the death of his wife, Ruth Anne Maddox.
The charge of murder in the second degree, without premeditation, has a maximum penalty of 40 years imprisonment in Minnesota. The charge was filed against Tony, 43, in Scott County District Court.
Bail was set at $1 million during his first court appearance and bail hearing Friday. Prosecutors stated in court on Friday they considered Tony Maddox a flight risk.
His attorney, Larry Rapoport, disputed allegations of domestic abuse that had been cited in the divorce papers. He said $1 million bail was exorbitant.
A hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. Dec. 29 in Scott County District Court.
A former Warsaw resident, Ruth Anne, 45, worked for the Times-Union from April 1, 1987, to July 8, 2003. During her tenure at the Times-Union, she covered general assignments, as well as police and courts under the bylines of Ruth Anne Lipka and Ruth Anne Long.
According to the complaint filed in the District Court Friday, on Tuesday at approximately 3:35 p.m., the Prior Lake Police Dept. was contacted by two people affiliated with the local newspapers where Ruth Anne worked. They requested a welfare check on Ruth Anne, 16492 Timber Crest Drive, Prior Lake.
The two persons reported they received a text message from Ruth Anne's cell phone at 9 a.m. stating she had a doctor's appointment and would be late for work. They stated it was very unusual for Ruth Anne to contact them in that manner. They also indicated they had made several unsuccessful attempts to call Ruth Anne throughout the day, but the calls went straight to voice mail and were never returned.
Officers also were told Ruth Anne had filed for divorce from Tony. Ruth Anne recently told co-workers she was concerned for her safety. Officers were told it was very uncharacteristic of Ruth Anne to miss her deadlines and that it had never occurred previously.
A neighbor of Ruth Anne's told police she spoke with Ruth Anne Monday at about 11:30 p.m. During that conversation, Ruth Anne told the neighbor that she was home alone, she had been to a school board meeting and she needed to finish three stories on deadline the next morning. The neighbor reported being aware of violence in the Maddox home, but police had never previously been involved.
The neighbor tried several times to contact Ruth Anne the following day, but was unsuccessful, which was unusual. When the neighbor left for work that morning, both Ruth Anne's and Tony's vehicles were parked in the driveway.
At 4:40 p.m. Tuesday, officers unsuccessfully attempted to make contact with Ruth Anne at her residence.
Officers tried again at 6:11 p.m. and were met at the door by Tony. Tony reported not knowing where his wife was. Officers noted Tony had two scratches on his nose.
Tony told officers he received a text message from Ruth Anne stating she was headed out of town and would not return until the following Sunday. Tony did not allow officers into the home, and he refused to sign a missing persons report on behalf of his wife. He refused to provide any information to officers regarding any credit or debit cards Ruth Anne may have been carrying.
Tony told officers he was at a friend's house Monday evening watching football.
At 9:14 p.m. Tuesday, officers spoke with Tony again. Though only 28 degrees outside, Tony would not allow officers into the home. He also stated several times that Ruth Anne may have gone to Indiana.
Throughout the day, officers spoke with Ruth Anne's friends and family members to locate Ruth Anne. Officers learned Ruth Anne's daughter received two text messages from Tony after he had been served with divorce papers. The messages stated Tony would never allow Ruth Anne to leave him.
Officers also learned that a male friend of Ruth Anne's received a text message from her cell phone on Tuesday. It stated "I'm not having a good morning." He was not able to get a hold of her.
At 3:17 a.m. Wednesday, officers served a search warrant for the Maddox residence in an effort to locate her.
Shortly after officers entered the residence, Tony stated, without being questioned, "I might as well save you the trouble; you will find Ruth Anne's body in the garage."
Tony said they had a fight the previous evening. He alleged she came at him with a screwdriver and knife. Tony said he put his knee on her arm that held the knife and he choked her.
Officers went to the garage and found Ruth Anne's body wrapped in what appeared to be a tent, covered by a blanket. The Minnesota Regional Coroner's Office performed an autopsy. Preliminary findings indicate Ruth Anne died of blunt force trauma to her head and neck.
Ruth Anne moved to Prior Lake from Warsaw in 2003 after marrying Tony. Ruth Anne and Tony attended high school together in Hammond and reconnected after attending a class reunion.
In Minnesota, Ruth Anne became a reporter with two newspapers owned by Southwest Newspapers. She first worked at the Savage Pacer and then at the Shakopee Valley News. She also worked part time at a Kohl's store.
Ruth Anne is survived by a daughter, two sisters, a brother and her parents.
Services for Ruth Anne will be at 6 p.m. Monday at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. Calling is from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. There was cremation.
