Woman indicted for homeless shelter stabbing

Published 10:14 am Friday, January 17, 2020

A woman charged with stabbing a man multiple times in an apparent unprovoked attack was indicted for assault Thursday.

The Clark County grand jury returned a one-count indictment for first-degree assault against 40-year-old Michelle Hunter.

The incident occurred at the Beacon of Hope Emergency Shelter on Bypass Road, where Hunter and the victim were residents.

Email newsletter signup

According to Winchester Police, the victim was sitting on the edge of his bed when Hunter allegedly approached him from behind and started stabbing him with a large kitchen knife.

Several other people intervened, police said.

The victim’s injuries were not believed to be life threatening, but he was transported to the University of Kentucky Medical Center for treatment.

The victim told police he did not remember any incidents which would have provoked a stabbing.

First-degree assault carries a sentence of 10 to 20 years upon conviction.

The grand jury also indicted Nicholas Helmburg on multiple charges after allegedly assaulting his wife and holding her against her will.

Officers were called to the Helmburgs’ residence at 216 Dubuy Drive, shortly after 2 a.m. Nov. 2, according to court documents.

At the time, police said the two had been in a verbal argument which turned physical. 

The victim said she was hit on the top of her head during the incident. Police also said she had minor cuts from broken glass after she used a picture and frame to defend herself.

Helmburg was arrested at the scene and charged with fourth-degree assault.

Winchester Police Capt. James Hall said the victim was interviewed the following day, and detectives got a more complete account of what happened, including that she was held against her will. Hall said no weapons were involved.

Helmburg was indicted Thursday for first-degree unlawful imprisonment, second-degree assault, fourth-degree assault and first-degree strangulation.

The grand jury also returned the following indictments:

— Ethan R. Elam, attempted first-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument.

— Malik Kenney, trafficking in a controlled substance, third-degree trafficking in a controlled substance.

— Jonathan Turner, driving under the influence (fourth offense), driving on a suspended operator’s license, first-degree wanton endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident, possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

— Charles E. Campbell and Jason C. Moore, receiving stolen property, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (three counts).

— Gregory A. Shanks, first-degree possession of a controlled substance.

— Traci A. Wiseman, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia.

— Richard White, flagrant non-support, second-degree persistent felony offender.

— Angela M. White, first-degree possession of a controlled substance.

— Naomi R. Sons, first-degree promoting contraband, first-degree possession of a controlled substance.

— Johana L. Radek, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance (two counts), second-degree persistent felony offender.

— Kim D. Dearing, tampering with physical evidence, first-degree persistent felony offender.

The grand jury issued a no true bill for the following case.

— Paul M. Prater, first-degree strangulation, fourth-degree assault.

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

email author More by Fred