78-Year-Old Woman Says Son Handcuffed Her In Garage, Tried To Kill Her With Fumes

PONTIAC (WWJ/AP) - A 78-year-old Waterford Township woman has testified that her son tried to kill her with carbon monoxide from truck fumes in their garage.

Gloriann Lutz testified Wednesday that she thought her 46-year-old son Adam took drugs before saying he was going to kill her last August.

"He said ... 'Mother I'm going to kill you. You're going to die. You have eight minutes,'" she testified.

Gloriann Lutz said she had just returned home from running errands when her son forced her into the garage of their home on Coseyburn Road and handcuffed her to a cabinet before starting up the engine on a GMC Suburban. As she pleaded for help, her son walked away -- leaving her for dead.

Gloriann Lutz said she was able to trigger the garage door opener with a golf club, which caused her son to return. He then handcuffed her to the SUV's trailer hitch, she testified, closed the garage door and walked away.

The woman testified that the SUV kept shutting off automatically after 25 minute and each time the engine stopped running, her son would return.

"He would come back, look inside and say 'Aren't you dead yet? Why don't you die?'" she said.

The ordeal inside the garage went on for 3 1/2 hours before Adam Lutz eventually tossed his mother the handcuff keys to free herself, she testified. She tried to get away in the SUV, but said her son took the keys and retreated into the house.

Gloriann Lutz said she slept outside that night by her swimming pool. The next morning, she went to a neighbor's house and called police, who quickly responded and took her son into custody.

As far as a motive for the attack, Gloriann Lutz said her son might have been upset because she recently appointed his older sister in charge of her financial affairs.

Adam Lutz is charged with assault with intent to murder, attempted murder, torture and unlawful imprisonment. He passed a forensic psychiatric examination indicating he's able to assist in his own defense. He faces up to life in prison if convicted.

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