Man charged with stabbing daughter

NEW CASTLE -- Authorities say a disagreement over antifreeze set in motion events that ended with a New Castle man stabbing his daughter.

Robert L. Copley, 66, is charged with battery with a deadly weapon and criminal recklessness. The latter charge alleges Copley also lunged at his grandson while armed with the knife.

According to documents filed by Henry County Prosecutor Joe Bergacs' office, Copley went to his daughter's home, in the 3300 block of North Gary Street, on the afternoon of Oct. 17, and confronted her son over a dispute involving antifreeze.

The grandfather's grievance was not detailed in a police report.

Investigators said Copley's 44-year-old daughter stepped between her father and her son, and was stabbed, in the left side near her waist, with a kitchen knife brandished by Copley.

Copley maintained the stabbing was accidental.

His alleged victim, treated for her wound at Henry County Memorial Hospital, said she did not want to see her father prosecuted.

Henry Circuit Court 1 Judge Mary Willis has scheduled Copley's trial for Feb. 15.

A Nov. 12 hearing is set on a request to reduce Copley's bond, now set at $13,600. The most serious charge against him, battery, is a Level 5 felony carrying up to six years in prison.

Computerized court records dating to the early 1990s reflect no prior charges against the New Castle man.

Contact news reporter Douglas Walker at (765) 213-5851. You can also follow him on Twitter @DouglasWalkerSP.