Man who won the primary election despite being accused of murder was found guilty of a lesser crime

Lebanon, Indiana – A man from central Indiana who was accused of killing his estranged wife yet won a primary election for a township board post has been found guilty of the lesser crime of voluntary manslaughter.

Andrew Wilhoite, 41, of Lebanon was found guilty by a Boone County jury on Thursday, according to local media sources.

Wilhoite was accused of murder in connection with the passing of his wife, Elizabeth “Nikki” Wilhoite, 41, who vanished from work on March 25, 2022, prompting colleagues to file a missing person’s report. The next day, her body was discovered in a creek close to her house.

She had recently completed her cancer chemotherapy treatments and had filed for divorce on March 17.

Wilhoite reported to the police that after an altercation, he hit his wife with a flowerpot and threw her body into the creek.

When he is sentenced on June 4, he might spend ten to thirty years behind bars.

Jennifer Lukemeyer, one of his lawyers, stated she was unable to comment on the decision.

Three Republican contenders for a township board seat in 2022 advanced past the primary, including Wilhoite, who subsequently withdrew from the contest. Boone County election results showed that he won 60 of the 276 Republican votes cast for the three Clinton Township Board seats. Only three contenders applied for the race.