WaKeeney, Kansas — A preliminary hearing in Ellis County District Court revealed serious allegations against a local man charged with attempted first-degree murder. Cody Evan Garrett, 31, stands accused of strangling his partner during a violent incident on July 17, 2025. In addition to the attempted murder charge, he faces charges of aggravated domestic battery, criminal threat, and two misdemeanors involving domestic battery and criminal damage to property.
The prosecution presented its case during a preliminary hearing held last November, which continued with defense testimonies on Monday. Prosecutors allege that Garrett drove his truck to a remote area on Hopewell Road, where he made threats against the victim, declaring his intent to kill her and signaling that she would be separated from her children forever.
According to court documents, the victim recounted a harrowing ordeal in which Garrett physically assaulted her, slamming her against the truck with enough force to leave a dent. She stated that he pulled her hair, pinned her down, and strangled her to the point where she experienced visual disturbances and a ringing in her ears.
The assault allegedly ceased when another couple arrived in the area, prompting the victim to escape and seek help. Law enforcement was subsequently alerted to the situation.
During the hearing, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Tina Jecha provided crucial testimony, revealing her findings from a medical examination of the victim. Jecha indicated the presence of petechial hemorrhage in the victim’s mouth—a potential sign of strangulation characterized by the rupture of small blood vessels. Despite the defense pointing out that no additional signs of hemorrhage were found elsewhere on the victim’s body, Jecha explained that such injuries can still occur even in the absence of visible marks on the neck.
Additionally, Jecha noted abrasions and bruising on other parts of the victim’s body during her examination, further supporting claims of physical assault. Although she did not report seeing any bruising on the neck, she identified redness in that area, which can also indicate strangulation.
The victim’s ex-husband took the stand, sharing his thoughts following Garrett’s arrest. He admitted to having speculated—in a moment of anger and worry about their children—that the victim could be fabricating the incident. This comment, made in the heat of the moment, later evolved into accusations suggesting that the altercation may have been orchestrated to damage Garrett’s reputation. Ellis County Attorney Aaron Cunningham described this testimony as similar to a “game of telephone,” where the original message became distorted through multiple retellings.
In closing arguments, defense attorney Mark Harmon emphasized a lack of evidence demonstrating premeditation other than the victim’s claims. He argued that the situation could better be characterized as mutual combat between the two individuals rather than an attempted murder, requesting the dismissal of the serious charges.
Judge Curtis Brown ultimately ruled to bind Garrett over for trial on all charges. The arraignment is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on February 17, to be conducted via Zoom. While Garrett remains free on a $500,000 bond, his attorney requested that the requirement for ankle monitoring be lifted. However, the state opposed this motion, leading Brown to agree to allow a switch to GPS monitoring instead.