Assault case leads to jail
A Butler man was sentenced to state prison in Butler County Court of Common Pleas on Thursday following an assault incident in the city in October.
Claude T. Taylor Jr., 61, was sentenced to 18 to 36 months in a state correctional institution by county Judge William Shaffer, after he pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts in June, including terroristic threats, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.
Taylor was initially charged with three felony counts of aggravated assault, two counts of misdemeanor simple assault, and one count each of misdemeanor terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person following the incident on Oct. 3. The remaining charges were dismissed as part of the plea.
He was also ordered to undergo 72 months state probation following his release from prison, as well as pay more than $3,500 in restitution.
The charges stemmed from the incident after police say Taylor attacked his then-girlfriend, Teresa Horniacek, at their home in the 400 block of Virginia Ave.
Police were initially called to Butler Memorial Hospital where Horniacek went for treatment of injuries in the alleged assault. She told officers that Taylor beat her several hours earlier. She reported that he punched her and knocked her out the front door before dragging her back into the home, according to court documents. Taylor then allegedly beat her on the side of the head and later grabbed a kitchen knife.
Horniacek said she ran upstairs and laid on the bed, and that Taylor eventually went upstairs and told her that he was “going to kill her and cut her into little pieces,” documents said.
Police in speaking to Horniacek noted her injuries: a missing front tooth, cut lip and bruised left elbow. She also had dried blood on her chin and on her shirt sleeves.
Officers found Taylor at his home, where he admitted to pushing the woman but denied the other allegations, police said. Police said that while at the home they noticed blood drops on the living room carpet and in the doorway, as well as dried blood on the wall and on a pair of shoes.
Taylor was arrested and arraigned, with bail initially set at $10,000. Bail was later raised to $100,000, and he has been held in the Butler County Prison since his arrest.
Horniacek spoke during the proceedings Thursday, saying her life “has been drastically altered” due to the incident.
“I am in physical pain to this day,” she said. “But the emotional scars far outweigh the physical injuries I suffered. I am often in fear, and feel alone and anxious.”
Taylor apologized Thursday, saying “I truly am remorseful for my behavior. It was totally out of line and I accept responsibility.”
