Woman who stabbed roommate in neck during argument over meth sent to prison

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By Christine Holmes, News Director

A woman who the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office says was “more or less” taunted by her roommate into stabbing him during a fight over methamphetamine was sentenced to prison Wednesday morning. 

According to Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz, 36 year-old Amanda Umbleby was arrested on Oct. 14 after deputies were called to the home she shared with her boyfriend, 40 year-old John Kuhn.

When law enforcement arrived, they found Kuhn bleeding profusely from his neck due to a stab wound. 

Assistant Prosecutor John Litle said the situation was a result of illegal drug use “which causes people to act in crazy and violent ways.”

Litle elaborated in court that Umbleby was arguing with Kuhn because she wanted to “go in to town” to buy meth, but Kuhn refused since “they got ripped off last time.”

At an earlier court hearing, Assistant Prosecutor Gerald Anderson shared Umbleby’s account given to police, which was that Kuhn was upset about the condition of the house and was threatening to beat Umbleby and hold her hostage. 

Anderson said Umbleby, a victim of past domestic violence, told investigators she feared for her safety so she picked up a knife and swung it without striking Kuhn. 

Only after Kuhn provoked her did Umbleby make contact, prosecutors said. 

During her sentencing, Umbleby’s attorney, Lisa Thome, asked Judge Mark Fleegle to consider a community control sentence instead of prison time. 

Umbleby tearfully pleaded with the judge to follow that request. 

“It is not me. It was a mistake,” said Umbleby. “Please give me a chance.”

Without having adequate housing established and due to the violent nature of her crime, Fleegle sentenced Umbleby to eight months in prison. 

However, he noted that he would consider judicial release with a good behavioral record while incarcerated.