© 2026
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Scam Advisory: We have been made aware that an online entity is posing as Joe Donahue to invite authors and other creatives onto our radio shows. The scammers then attempt to charge guests an appearance fee for exposure/publicity.
Please note: WAMC does not charge guests to appear on the station and any email about appearing on a WAMC program will come from a wamc.org email address.

Vermont Man Pleads Guilty To Holding Wife Captive

handcuffs
wikipedia.org

A Vermont man has pleaded guilty to charges he held his wife captive in their bedroom for nearly four years.
Michael Jokinen admitted Wednesday in court that he knowingly and unlawfully restrained his wife in their home.

The Rutland Herald reports that the 35-year-old Rutland man had pleaded not guilty in May to kidnapping and second-degree unlawful restraint. As part of a plea deal, the state dropped the kidnapping charge.

Prosecutors said Jokinen held his wife captive in their home in 2010 by padlocking her into a bedroom and boarding the windows shut. The woman told police that Jokinen physically abused her.

Police said the victim escaped on Dec. 28, 2014, by jumping from a second-story window.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 11.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved