An Alabama chiropractor is accused of trying to kill his estranged wife by poisoning her with lead-tainted vitamins — and was released on bond last week, according to reports.
Brian Mann, 34, was ordered held on $500,000 bail Friday for attempted murder for allegedly “inadvertently ingesting lead particles” while the couple was going through a divorce. according to court documents obtained by local network WHNT.
As a result, Mann’s wife, Hanney Pettey, 24, spent two months recovering from lead poisoning at the University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham. She filed for divorce in March, a few days after being discharged. according to the Hartselle Enquirer.
Male, 34, was arrested in September.
Mann allegedly told his wife that the pills he was giving her from the late summer of 2021 through the winter of 2021-2022 would “boost her immune system,” according to filings by Petty’s attorney, Jerry Knight.
Mann is also accused of holding five life insurance policies payable on his wife’s death that had a collective $1.3 million in benefits, according to the Hartselle Enquirer. She also reportedly applied for two additional insurance policies in December worth $1.5 million payable on her death, which were rejected.
On Friday, a judge released Mann from custody on a highly restrictive $500,000 bond so he can pay alimony and child support to his estranged wife and daughter.
“As much as one speeding ticket” and he’ll be rearrested, Judge Charles Elliott said, according to court documents.
Mann, of Hartselle, was initially released on $500,000 bond after his arrest in September. As part of his bond, he was asked to surrender his passport to ensure he does not leave the country.
When he didn’t provide officials with his passport, he was taken back into custody, according to WHNT. The passport has not yet been delivered to the officials.
Elliott admitted at a hearing on Wednesday that he was at a “crossroads” in the disturbing case – the longer Mann remained in prison, the longer his wife and daughter were deprived of his financial support.
Mann is $8,000 behind on his payments. The judge explained that he had to make a balanced decision that considered both the safety risk to the public by releasing Mann and the ability for Mann’s wife and daughter to have food on the table, WHNT reported.
The couple’s divorce proceedings have been put on hold until the criminal proceedings are completed, according to court documents.
Mann is also a defendant in a November 2020 malpractice lawsuit by a patient who claimed the chiropractor injured her during a visit, causing her severe back pain, incontinence and inability to walk, according to the Hartselle Enquirer. The patient claims she was hospitalized and now has permanent back problems.
Mann will not be allowed to leave his home after 6 p.m. or before 8 a.m. and must spend every weekend in jail from 4 p.m. Friday afternoon until 8 am. on Monday morning, according to the terms of his release.
He also has to wear an ankle monitor and is forbidden to speak to his wife. He is also not allowed to drink alcohol and is subject to random drug tests.
Mann’s trial is expected to begin in October. 8th
