Man charged in wife’s murder could face life without parole

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An Indianapolis man accused of beating his wife to death with a baseball bat and knife could get life in prison without parole, according to a request filed by the Marion County Prosecutors office Monday.

Tony Degrafreed was charged in the July 20 murder of his wife Rebecca Degrafreed.

Police were called to a home in the 5700 block of Laurel Hall Drive around 8:10 a.m. According to the probable cause affidavit, Rebecca was found in the couple’s bedroom with a bloody baseball bat next to her body. A knife covered in blood was found on the bed. According to witnesses in the home, a loud banging nose was heard from the bedroom.

The victim’s son, Jordan Yarbro told police he saw Tony Degrafreed came out of the bedroom and stabbed him in the chest. Degrafreed then fled the home on foot. Officers arrested Degrafreed near the intersection of North Arlington Avenue and Devington Road.

Tony Degrafreed was convicted in the March 8, 1995 slaying of his then-wife Stacy Degrafreed. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison but only served about half of that time behind bars.

Degrafreed is facing murder and battery by means of a deadly weapon charges.