Man convicted in domestic violence case where victim was strangled, held in van

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ( WATE ) — A 62-year-old man described as a repeat violent offender is facing years of prison time after he was convicted in a Knox County court in a domestic violence incident that occurred in June 2023, when he kidnapped and assaulted a woman in a van in which he was living at the time.

According to a release from the Knox County District Attorney General’s Office, Merv Conley Rodgers , 62, was convicted of Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, Domestic Assault, and two counts of Aggravated Assault after a two-day trial presided over by Judge Hector Sanchez.

Prosecutors described to the jury what occurred on June 22, 2023, when Knoxville Police Department officers responded to a 911 call reporting an assault and kidnapping after a woman had escaped from the van Rodgers had been holding her in and ran to a nearby apartment to call for help. Officers learned that the victim and Rodgers had been dating for a few weeks and got into an argument in the van where Rodgers lived and during that argument, Rodgers punched the victim and strangled her until she lost consciousness. When the victim woke up and tried to leave, Rodgers grabbed her and forced her back into the van, then hit her with a baseball bat before strangling her to unconsciousness again.

When the victim regained consciousness the second time, prosecutors say the victim saw Rodgers holding the baseball bat and he told her, “You ain’t going anywhere. I will kill you, cut you up, and roll you up in the blanket you was sitting on.” Rodgers then confined the victim in the van overnight until she was able to escape. Rodgers was looking for her when KPD officers arrived and rescued her.

“The quick response by police saved this victim and led to the successful prosecution of this repeat, violent offender,” DA Charme Allen stated.

The DA’s Office says Rodgers has an extensive criminal history that dates back to 1981 for crimes such as robbery, burglary, larceny, and aggravated assault, which is why he is facing decades in prison.

Rodgers faces 25 to 40 years to serve in the Tennessee Department of Correction and his sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 29.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.