Wisconsin man accused of strangling wife waives hearing

RACINE, Wis. — A Racine man accused of killing his wife and setting fire to himself and a house has waived his preliminary hearing.

Thirty-six-year-old Joseph Guerrero is accused of strangling Bianca Vite at a Mount Pleasant home one of his relatives had rented. Prosecutors say Guerrero was drinking and taking pills before arguing with his 21-year-old wife.

A criminal complaint says Vite scratched Guerrero in the face, so he grabbed her around the neck and threw her up against a wall. He said he tried to revive her but she didn’t wake up. Authorities say Guerrero passed out and when he woke up he lit the furniture, carpeting and himself on fire. As the fire began to spread, Guerrero left the house.

The Journal Times says Guerrero’s arraignment is set for April 18.