Man appeals conviction for threatening ex-wife

LINCOLN COUNTY – A man convicted in a Lincoln County Jury trial of threatening to kill his ex-wife is planning to appeal his conviction at the state court of appeals.

Wiza Nyasulu, 37, was convicted of a domestic violence harassment charge in a Lincoln County jury trial on July 22. Nyasulu made several threatening calls to his ex-wife, Amanda Nyasulu, telling her that he was going to use the skills he learned while in the Army to kill her boyfriend, Tyler Smith. In a call that Amanda recorded and gave to law enforcement, Nyasulu tells her that he is going to “kill the coward” (Smith) and that he is able to shoot Smith from far away with a “50 cal.”

Prior to being sentenced by Lincoln County Superior Court Judge John Strohmaier, Nyasulu’s attorney asked for a stay on sentencing, arguing that Nyasulu, a veteran diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, had been self medicating with Adderall and alcohol. Court records show Nyasulu said he is now in alcohol rehab and seeing a psychologist.

Nyasulu’s lawyer also cited Covid-19 concerns as a reason that Nyasulu’s sentencing should be delayed, as 141 jail staff and 377 inmates in the Department of Corrections have tested positive for Covid and 843 inmates are in quarantine. Sending Nyasulu to jail now would “place his life at risk.”

However, Judge Strohmaier rejected the request for a stay and sentenced Nyasulu to 60 days in jail and 30 days of electronic home monitoring. He must also pay $200 in court fees and $500 in victim assessment fees.

Nyasulu’s appeal on the conviction was submitted to the Washington State Court of Appeals, Div. III on Aug. 18.