VERSAILLES, Ky. (LEX 18) — Years ago Judge Mary Jane Phelps presided over the wedding of Kenneth and Katy McDaniel. Monday, she set bond for the man accused of stabbing his wife and leaving her for dead.
Kenneth "Doug" McDaniel was arraigned on a charge of first-degree assault. His wife, Katy McDaniel, remains in the hospital fighting to recover.
Prosecutors called the attack savage, brutal, and vicious. A surgeon testified that Katy McDaniel's condition is critical and that she could have permanent disfigurement and voice issues.
Judge performed marriage of Kenneth and Katy McDaniel a few years ago. Now Katy fighting to live, facing multiple surgeries and permanent disfigurement.@LEX18News pic.twitter.com/kJyjINCJhs
— Leigh Searcy (@LSearcLex) October 14, 2019
The couple is well known in Midway where the attack happened. The couple used to own a wine shop and Katy McDaniel works at a local restaurant.
The incident occurred on October 6. According to Kenneth's arrest citation, Katy was found stabbed 26 times inside her Midway home.
She identified her husband as her attacker. First responders said she had injuries from her legs up to her neck and two knives were located in the bedroom.
Katy McDaniel's aunt believes her niece was thinking of her 5-year-old daughter as she somehow called for help.
"Some of that had to be somewhere in her cognitive mind, that part of her mind to say, 'I'm going to get through this, I'm going to get out of here and I'm going to live,'" Peggy Mandel told LEX 18.
People are rallying around Katy McDaniel. As for Kenneth McDaniel, his own sister died from domestic violence several years ago.
Judge Mary Jane Phelps, who performed the couple's marriage ceremony, raised Kenneth McDaniel's bond to $250,000.
If you would like to learn more about resources for domestic violence survivors, visit any of the following:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1−800−799−7233
