Georgia man kidnapped, assaulted ex-wife after she refused to take him back

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. — A Cherokee County man has pleaded guilty to charges of kidnapping his ex-wife, assaulting her and leaving her bound with homemade zip tie handcuffs.

Rodney William Metzer was sentenced to 70 years with the first 25 years in prison and 45 years to be served on probation, according to the district attorney’s office.

The Cherokee County’s Sheriff Office responded on New Year’s Day around 2 a.m. to a woman’s home. Metzer appeared on the front porch and pretended to be a concerned family member.

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Deputies said Metzer told them he had just arrived at the home and found her face down on the deck in zip ties and with pillowcase over her head.

However, the investigation revealed Metzer tried to reconcile with his ex-wife the night before and when she refused, he returned to the house that night in disguise to attack her.

“This man is a master manipulator. In the days leading up to this attack he faked a cancer diagnosis in an attempt to gain sympathy from his ex-wife,” Assistant District Attorney Rachel Ashe said. “When that didn’t work, he created a convoluted plan that the investigators in this case and our office truly believe involved a plot to kill her and then himself. When he couldn’t go through with that plan, he instead devised a new plan to rescue her. Fortunately, Sheriff’s Office investigators saw through this scheme and quickly arrested the defendant.”

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Deputies said Metzer broke into the home wearing a mask and carrying a gun. He disguised his voice, hit her with the gun and tried to strangle her twice.

“He zip tied her hands, assaulted her, placed a pillowcase over her head, and dragged her to the deck. He left her there, face down, instructing her not to move until she heard a car honk. He told her she would be shot if she moved,” the district attorney’s office said.

Investigators tied the kidnapping supplies to Metzer after surveillance video showed him purchasing a pack of zip ties at a Lowe’s store. He claimed he didn’t know what zip ties were in an interview after his arrest.

Another surveillance video caught Metzer coming home to his apartment after the attack and leaving minutes later in different clothes.

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Investigators also had evidence of cell phone and laptop internet search history. Metzer looked up how long before you starve to death, how to change the sound of your voice, and how long it takes to choke someone unconscious.

“I cannot imagine how terrifying this must have been for her. This is a classic example of how the most dangerous time for a domestic violence victim is when she decides to leave an abusive relationship,” Cherokee County DA Shannon Wallace said.

Wallace’s office says if you or anyone you know is a victim of domestic abuse to contact Cherokee Family Violence Center at 770-479-1703 or 911 in case of an emergency.

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