Genesee man accused of stabbing ex-wife pleads not guilty

A Genesee, Idaho, man accused of stabbing his ex-wife 14 times in April and facing 60 years in prison pleaded not guilty Monday afternoon to felony counts of aggravated assault and burglary.

Eliseo Deleon Tye was visibly shaking as he sat next to his public defender, Catherine Mabbutt, during his arraignment in front of Latah County 2nd District Court Judge John Stegner.

Stegner advised Deleon Tye of his rights and the maximum sentences he could face if he is found guilty. He faces a maximum 15-year prison sentence and a $50,000 fine for his aggravated assault charge, and an additional 20 years in jail for the use of a deadly weapon while committing a crime and causing great bodily injury on another person. The burglary charge carries a maximum of 10 years in prison and another $50,000 fine.

The Latah County Prosecutor’s Office lowered its original attempted murder charge to aggravated assault during Deleon Tye’s preliminary hearing so he could also be charged with two sentencing enhancements.

Stegner authorized a psychological evaluation that will be completed before Deleon Tye’s next status hearing July 10.

According to officers who testified during Deleon Tye’s preliminary hearing, he allegedly stabbed his ex-wife, Shelby Smith, 14 times in the early hours of April 7 because he believed she was in possession of a thumb drive that he had lost at some point during their divorce. Deleon Tye allegedly told the arresting officers that without the thumb drive his younger sister’s life was in danger.