Georgia Man Sentenced for Attacking Ex-Wife and Staging Rescue

The BareStory

A Georgia man was sentenced to 70 years, with 25 to be served in prison, after pleading guilty to attacking his ex-wife and subsequently staging her rescue. On August 4, 2021, Rod Metzer pleaded guilty to 14 counts related to a January 1, 2021, home invasion in Canton. During the incident, Metzer attacked his ex-wife, Morgan Metzer, before calling 911 to report that he had found her on her back porch with her wrists bound.

Responding investigators found Morgan Metzer with facial bruising and zip-tied wrists. She told authorities that her attacker was masked but that she suspected it was her ex-husband. A search of Rod Metzer's apartment yielded a portion of a zip tie that a crime lab determined was a "physical match" to the restraints used. Investigators also obtained surveillance footage of Rod Metzer purchasing the zip ties at a store days before the attack.

According to investigators, an examination of Metzer's internet history revealed searches for topics such as "how to change the sound of your voice." Authorities also stated that he had fabricated a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, which they believed was an attempt to gain his ex-wife's sympathy. Metzer was first arrested on an invasion of privacy charge after investigators, with his permission, searched his phone and found secretly taken photos of his ex-wife. His guilty plea covered 14 counts related to both the attack and the photos.

Metzer's 70-year sentence includes 45 years of probation and a no-contact order protecting Morgan Metzer and their children. During sentencing, Morgan Metzer read a victim impact statement in which she said she felt empowered. According to Rod Metzer's mother, his health is declining in prison.