Dunkard Township man found not guilty of stabbing girlfriend
A Dunkard Township man who was accused of stabbing his girlfriend multiple times last year was found not guilty on most charges following a jury trial last week.
Derek Lee Knuckles was facing felony charges of attempted homicide and aggravated assault in connection with the January 2023 incident, but the Greene County jury acquitted him Thursday on those counts and other charges following a one-day trial.
He was also found not guilty on misdemeanor counts of simple assault and reckless endangerment, but was convicted of possession of drug paraphernalia and sentenced by President Judge Lou Dayich to serve six to 12 months in jail. Since Knuckles, 64, had been held at the Greene County jail since his arrest, he was released from custody following the trial.
Knuckles was also acquitted of additional charges of witness intimidation and evidence tampering that were filed earlier this year.
Knuckles’ defense attorney, Kimberly Furmanek, said they were pleased with the verdict so her client can move forward with his life.
“I think the jury saw (the case) for what it was,” Furmanek said Monday. “We were just very satisfied with the verdict and glad they used their common sense.”
State police were called to Knuckles’ home in the 200 block of Moffit Road on Jan. 31, 2023, and met with his girlfriend, Betty Adams-Strosnider, who claimed Knuckles pushed her on the couch and stabbed her 10 to 15 times, according to court documents. She was initially treated at the scene for lacerations and stab wounds, but later transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va., according to police.
Knuckles was later found nearby on Williamson Hill Road, where state police arrested him.
Furmanek said Adams-Strosnider testified that she was injured when she attempted to grab a knife from Knuckles. Furmanek added that the couple is no longer together.
The state Attorney General’s office prosecuted the case.