by Patrick H. Moore
Here at All Things Crime Blog we come across some very weird cases — some of which, of course, are very disturbing. There’s nothing funny, for example, about a 250 pound sadist plotting to sexually molest and cannibalize a young boy. Once in a while, however, we discover a case which — while undeniably disturbing — can also be viewed as darkly amusing, at least to one of jaundiced sensibility. The case of Meloney and Michael Selleneit of Centerville, Utah fits into this category and is unlike any case I have ever encountered, reading more like a Philip K. Dick novel than a true crime story.
It seems that Meloney, who is 55 and mentally ill, became convinced that her next store neighbor, Tony Pierce, was “telepathically raping” her. Notwithstanding her illness, Meloney found this in no way acceptable — and being a woman of pride and honor — she ordered her husband Michael Selleneit, also 55, to go next door and shoot the bastard.
Don’t think for a minute, though, that Michael was simply a member of the infamous “Honey Do” club and said to Meloney, “Yes, honey. I’ll do it. I’ll take care of it right away.” Instead of jumping the gun and going off half-cocked, he and Meloney sat down and discussed the matter carefully and conscientiously. According to the arrest warrant, Michael Selleneit was convinced that Pierce had been “telepathically raping” his wife for years, and was using crack cocaine to control her mind, which I assume means the purpose of the crack was to soften Meloney up so that she would be receptive to the “telepathic rape.” I realize this is a rather an odd concept, but like I said, this is a very weird case. In any event, according to the arrest affidavit, the couple discussed the matter and came to the conclusion that the only honorable solution would be for Michael to “go for it,” to use Meloney’s phrase, i.e., march over to Tom’s house and plug him. Meloney informed the police that she was not absolutely certain that Michael would actually go through with the attack. What she knew for sure, though, was that Michael would not have shot Tom without her encouragement.
Without further ado, Michael — doubly fortified by his belief that Tony had been committing the heinous act for years and his wife’s encouragement — took the bull by the horns and marched over to Tony’s house where he found him gardening in his backyard. Michael came up behind Tony and shot him twice in the back with a handgun. Witnesses say that after the shooting Michael walked calmly back to his trailer. Fortunately, Tony received medical attention promptly and lived through the attack.
This is not a new case; the shooting occurred on Nov. 10, 2011. For the past two years, Meloney has been in a Utah state mental hospital receiving care for a variety of mental illnesses including schizophrenia. She had been previously found unfit to stand trial but the presiding judge, Thomas Kay, recently reversed his decision. Thus, since she had long since incriminated herself, not to mention the fact that there were apparently witnesses, Meloney pleaded guilty on Sept. 19, 2013 to illegally possessing a weapon, and criminal solicitation.
Michael Selleneit had already pleaded guilty in January of 2012 to attempted manslaughter and illegally owning a weapon. He was sentenced to two consecutive one-to-fifteen year prison sentences and is serving his time at a Utah mental institution. Michael had also been previously arrested in 1990 for sexual contact with a child.
Meloney Selleneit is current being held in Utah state custody. Although she was scheduled to be sentenced on October 31st, the date has apparently been continued.