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Stabbing suspect pleads not guilty to assault charges

November 03, 2011|By Fred Petke

The man charged with stabbing one person and cutting another Tuesday pleaded not guilty to both charges Wednesday afternoon.

David Ray Abrams, 42, of Paris, was arrested Tuesday afternoon following the assault on Crawford Avenue in which he allegedly stabbed 57-year-old Greg Armitage and wounded 60-year-old Alice Watts.

Appearing by closed circuit television in Clark District Court, Abrams said nothing while the judge entered automatic not guilty pleas to his charges of first-degree assault and second-degree assault.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Nov. 9 and Abrams’ $20,000 cash bond was left intact.

The incident reportedly stemmed from a dispute involving money. Winchester Police Detective Eric Campbell said money was loaned by Abrams’ aunt to Watts, but reportedly had not been repaid.

Witnesses said Abrams showed up at Watts’ and Armitage’s residence on Crawford Avenue Tuesday afternoon and began cursing and yelling. Watts told Abrams to leave, and he allegedly pulled out a pocket knife and cut her on her forehead. Campbell said Armitage came out of the house with a baseball bat and struck Abrams in the head. After the blow, Abrams stabbed Armitage in the abdomen.

Abrams fled the scene but state police located him working on a horse farm near the Bourbon and Montgomery county line. Abrams told police that he stabbed Armitage in self defense.

Both Watts and Armitage were treated and released from local hospitals.

If convicted on both counts, Abrams could receive 10 to 20 years for first-degree assault and five to 10 years for second-degree assault.

The judge also determined that Abrams was not eligible for a public defender.

Contact Fred Petke at fpetke@winchestersun.com.

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