Murder victim's ex-wife back in custody

The ex-wife of murder victim Benjamin Oxley was arrested over the weekend in connection with a second domestic battery charge and probation violation for allegedly drinking vodka.

Deputies were called to a Gardnerville Ranchos residence shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday for a report of domestic battery.

The alleged victim said Dawn Oxley, 37, struck him in the face and body several times. A witness to the incident reportedly videotaped it on a cell phone.

Oxley fled the scene on foot.

A few hours later, the victim said he believed Oxley had taken his vehicle while he was working at Carson Valley Golf Course. Deputies found her with the vehicle in the driveway of her mother's home.

A preliminary test indicated her blood-alcohol content at .110, over the legal limit of .08.

She reportedly told deputies she had been drinking vodka.

According to reports, she and her teenage daughter are living with the victim. A witness said they argued over the condition of the residence.

She was jailed on $7,500 bail.

Oxley was sentenced June 30 to 160 days, suspended, for domestic battery of her mother and teenage daughter.

As terms of her release, she was forbidden to consume drugs or alcohol and ordered to violate no laws.

Senior Judge Steven McMorris appointed lawyer Tod Young on Monday to represent Oxley. Her next court appearance is Wednesday.

Oxley's former husband was murdered Feb. 21, 2008, as he lay sleeping in his Wildhorse home.

Dawn Oxley's roommate, James Matlean, 23, was charged with first-degree murder on June 9. He is being held in Douglas County Jail without bail.

He is set for a preliminary hearing Nov. 4-5.

The district attorney's office has said she is not a suspect in the murder.

In the past two years, Dawn Oxley has been convicted of two counts of driving under the influence, domestic battery and arrested for possession of a dangerous drug, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

She served six months in Douglas County Jail for the DUIs after she violated terms of her release by drinking.

She went back to jail June 22 for a week for drinking in violation of her release on the first domestic battery charge.