WaKeeney, Kansas — A local man faces serious charges after a preliminary hearing revealed troubling allegations of domestic violence and attempted murder. Cody Evan Garrett has been ordered to stand trial for allegedly attempting to strangle his partner during an altercation that took place on July 17, 2025.
Garrett has been charged with multiple felonies, including attempted first-degree murder, aggravated domestic battery, and making criminal threats, alongside two misdemeanors: domestic battery and criminal damage to property. The state initially presented its evidence in November, but the hearing continued this week when the defense had the opportunity to respond.
According to court documents, Garrett reportedly threatened to kill his partner while driving in his truck along Hopewell Road. Witnesses claim he stated he would dispose of her body in a ditch, leaving her children without a mother. The victim alleged that Garrett escalated the situation by physically assaulting her, including throwing her against the truck with enough force to leave a dent, pulling her hair, and ultimately strangling her to the point of causing her to see bright lights and hear ringing in her ears.
The victim managed to escape when another couple arrived and assisted her in contacting law enforcement. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Tina Jecha of HaysMed testified that examination findings revealed petechial hemorrhage in the victim’s mouth, a condition associated with strangulation that indicates ruptured capillaries. This condition can manifest as red, purple, or brown spots on the skin and inside the mouth.
Though the defense highlighted that petechial hemorrhaging was not observed elsewhere on the victim’s body, Jecha clarified that it is possible for someone to be strangled without exhibiting the typical signs. She also noted discovering abrasions, bruising, and an injury on the victim’s upper lip. While she did not specifically recall seeing bruising around the neck, she acknowledged the presence of redness in that area.
The victim’s ex-husband also took the stand, expressing his doubts about the credibility of the accusations. He admitted to having speculated in a moment of anger that the victim might have fabricated the events. This claim, he noted, was distorted in subsequent retellings and transformed into a suggestion that the incident was premeditated. County Attorney Aaron Cunningham likened this evolving testimony to the children’s game “telephone,” emphasizing the distortion of the original message.
In closing arguments, defense attorney Mark Harmon contended that there was insufficient evidence of premeditation beyond the victim’s statements to authorities. He described the confrontation as an instance of mutual combat rather than a clear-cut attempt on the victim’s life. Harmon requested the dismissal of the attempted murder charge, but Judge Curtis Brown decided to advance all charges to trial.
Garrett is currently out on a $500,000 bond, with an arraignment scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on February 17 via Zoom. During the hearing, the defense indicated a desire to terminate the ankle monitoring condition of Garrett’s bond, but the state raised objections. Judge Brown permitted Garrett to shift to GPS monitoring instead.