This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Centerville police said a man allegedly shot by his neighbor Sunday has been upgraded to stable condition.
Police said Tuesday that Tony Pierce, 41, also wished to thank everyone who has helped him since the shooting.
At about 5 p.m. Sunday, Pierce was working in his yard outside his Centerville home, at 555 N. 400 West, when his neighbor Michael Selleneit, 73, shot him, police said. The bullet that entered his back and struck several vital organs, including the sac around his heart.
Selleneit claimed he was acting in self-defense after Pierce "telepathically" threatened him and his wife, and because Pierce "telepathically" raped his wife on many occasions, police wrote in a statement.
Selleneit was charged Monday in 2nd District Court with felony counts of attempted murder and unlawful weapon possession.
In 1991, Selleneit pleaded guilty but mentally ill to a felony count of attempted sexual abuse of a child, a conviction that prohibits him from possessing a gun. Police said they believe Selleneit's wife purchased the gun at a pawn shop a year ago.
Selleneit's wife was taken into custody for questioning, but later released to family members.
Twitter @sltribjanelle