Published: September 24, 2008 10:33 am      

Ewing pleads in attempted murder, kidnapping case

CLINTON — A Clinton man charged with attempted murder and kidnapping in the first degree following a stabbing on July 19 has pleaded guilty to lesser charges.

Robert J. Ewing, 25, 514 10th Ave. South, was arrested and charged with attempt to commit murder after officials responded to his residence just before 7:30 p.m. on July 19 for a report of a stabbing. The investigation revealed Jill J. Brantley suffered stab wounds to the back and throat, and she was transported to Mercy North Hospital for treatment.

Records state that Ewing spoke to officers and admitted to stabbing Brantley after taking several methadone capsules in an attempt to “kill himself.” Ewing was transported to Mercy North Hospital and officials state he waived his rights and agreed to tell officers what occurred at his residence.

An affidavit shows Ewing told officers voices within a song he listened to told him Brantley was “Satan,” and instructed him to kill her. Ewing stated he walked up behind Brantley as she sat on the couch and “poked” her in the back below her right scapula with a silver folding knife with a blade measuring roughly 21⁄2 inches long. Ewing stated he thought the blade entered Brantley’s back approximately half an inch. Documents state Brantley then turned around, and Ewing “punched” the knife into her throat, claiming again the music told him “it was my duty to kill her.”

Authorities state that Brantley was able to give an abbreviated interview to police during her treatment, saying that after Ewing stabbed her in the back, he stabbed her in the throat, causing her to fall from the couch to the living room floor.

The affidavit shows Brantley stated she started screaming and Ewing “jumped on top of her, held his hand over her mouth and stated, ‘do you want to die screaming or die quietly?’” Brantley stated Ewing held his hand over her mouth until she stopped screaming, and stated she “truly believed he planned to kill her.”

The affidavit states Ewing then directed Brantley to the bathroom, where he showered her and attempted to treat her wounds. He then moved Brantley to their bedroom, where he changed her blood-soaked clothes and attempted to treat her wounds. Ewing, who claims to suffer from schizophrenia, stated he treated Brantley’s wounds for approximately two hours before calling police.

Brantley told officials she did not attempt to leave the residence out of fear Ewing would kill her. The affidavit states Brantley underwent surgery to close the gaping laceration to her throat.

Ewing was released by the Mercy North Hospital emergency room doctor into police custody and was held in the Clinton County Jail on $25,000 bond.

In a pretrial conference before Clinton County District Court Judge Bobbi Alpers on Tuesday morning, Ewing pleaded guilty to an amended charge of assault while participating in a felony causing serious injury while armed with a dangerous weapon. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Ewing also pleaded guilty to the lesser-included offense of third-degree kidnapping. In exchange for the plea, the state is dismissing the attempted murder charge.

Both charges are class C felonies. A class “C” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than 10 years and a fine of at least $1,000 but not more than $10,000. According to Clinton County Attorney Mike Wolf, because the charge of felonious assault is a forceable felony, Ewing will face a minimum of five years in prison. The calendar entry of plea agreement proceedings details the state will recommend sentences for both charges to run concurrently.

Sentencing has been set for Oct. 23 at 9 a.m.