Man Said He Tried to Kill Wife and Burn Norfolk Home Because She Made Him Sleep on Floor

NORFOLK, MA — A man who tried to kill his ex-wife also attempted to burn down her Norfolk home Wednesday, police said.

Allen Stotts, 71, faces charged of attempted murder, arson, witness intimidation, assault with a dangerous weapon, and destruction of property over $250, according to court documents. He was ordered held without bail during his arraignment Thursday at Wrentham District Court.

Wednesday afternoon, police received a frantic call from a woman claiming that her ex-husband was at her house and was scared that he was going to kill her.

"My house is on fire! I'm outside and I'm afraid he's going to kill me," the frantic victim said to 911 dispatchers.

When police arrived, they found Stotts with an ax in the driveway. He allegedly told police that he tried to kill his ex-wife, missed with the ax, and instead set the house on fire with gasoline. After being taken into custody Sotts told police that he tried to kill his ex-wife because she makes him sleep on the living room floor without a mattress, according to a police report.

Stotts' wife told police that she wanted her ex-husband out of the home and told him that she would by a train ticket for him to leave the next day. After Stotts begged to stay, he allegedly grabbed and ax and swung it at the victim. After running into the bathroom and calling 911, the victim saw smoke coming from the bathroom door. Worried that Stotts was on the other side, she ran out of the bathroom and through the backdoor.

During a police interview, Stotts made several statements admitting to the alleged attempted murder, telling officers "I wanted to kill her, I don't know what else to tell ya," and "I'd like to kill myself to be honest with ya. I jus have nothin to love for, I don't."

The victim survived uninjured. Norfolk fire says the house sustained substantial smoke and heat damage, making it uninhabitable for the time being.

Stotts' wife filed for divorce in December, but allowed him to stay in the home until February. She told police that Stotts worked for a traveling carnival and described to police a 31-year marriage that was tumultuous as time. The two never slept in the same room and were often separated for a year at a time, according to the report.

Stotts is due back in court on Feb. 7.

Mug Shot Credit: Norfolk Police Department via WHDH. Home Photo via Norfolk Fire Department