A Tigard man angered over bills tried to suffocate his roommate with plastic wrap, authorities say.

Leo J. Miller, 71, was indicted this week on multiple charges, including attempted murder, second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and strangulation. He remained in the Washington County Jail Thursday.

Miller is accused in the Feb. 4 attack on 74-year-old Charlotte Simons.

Miller moved into Simons' apartment last year after she placed a Craiglist ad seeking a roommate, according to court documents.

Simons was on a recliner watching TV when Miller, upset over the amount of utility bills he had to pay, held a piece of cellophane wrap over her nose and mouth, the documents said. Simons played dead soon after in hopes that he would stop, according to the court papers.

Miller knocked the recliner over and briefly stopped the attack, the court documents said. During the pause, Simons used a LifeAlert pendant to summon emergency responders.

Miller repeatedly punched Simons in the face after she called authorities. A Tigard police officer saw him yelling at her as officers arrived, the documents said. By then, Simons' right eye was swollen shut, her nose was bruised and her nostrils were clogged with blood.

Simons is expected to survive.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey