KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Knox County District Attorney Charme Allen says a man who assaulted his wife and handcuffed her for several hours in October 2022 has been convicted.

According to Allen, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic disturbance call at a home on Strawberry Plains Pike on October 10, 2022.

At the scene, Allen said the victim told officers that her husband, Michael Norton, 44, had come home from work the previous day and strangled her in the kitchen.

After telling her son to call 911, Norton destroyed her phone and strangled her until she passed out.

When she regained consciousness, Allen said Norton repeatedly punched her in the stomach, handcuffed her and pointed a gun at her head. Over the next few hours, he threatened to kill the victim, their children and himself because she wanted a divorce.

Norton eventually left the scene and the victim called 911.

After he was arrested, Allen said Norton confessed to the crime to police. But at trial, Norton testified that he lied to the police and that the victim was the one who abused him.

“This defendant was held accountable for his crimes because the victim had the courage to come forward,” DA Allen said.

On Friday, Norton was convicted of aggravated kidnapping, rape, aggravated assault and domestic battery.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 13.

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