Elderly Visalia man accused of trying to kill wife with hammer

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- A 71-year-old Visalia man is accused of trying to kill his wife with a hammer. Police said on Wednesday morning, Taylor hit his wife on the head and called police moments later.

When officers went inside Taylor's home near County Center and Riggin, they said his wife was on the floor, bleeding from her head and Taylor had already told a police dispatcher what happened in a 911 call.

Sgt. Damon Maurice said, "he stated to us that he was angry with his wife and struck her with a large hammer and he was trying to kill her."

Maurice said Taylor was very lucid and polite and showed detectives where the hammer was. Taylor's wife was taken to the hospital and he was arrested for attempted murder.

"He did not provide any type of resistance," Maurice added.

The Taylors live on a quiet street and both he and his wife are well known. Off-camera, neighbors told Action News Taylor has been dealing with mental health issues; dementia and memory loss. They said his wife was concerned about Taylor's ability to drive and it would make him angry.

One neighbor said the wife called police to the home Tuesday night but no crime had been committed so the officers left.

Still, the attack was a surprise to the people we talked with. They said Taylor is not a violent person. They said his wife was trying to get him some help - they are sad about what happened but relieved to know Taylor's wife survived.