Butler Twp. man acquitted of attacking girlfriend in 2014
A Butler Township man was acquitted Monday of allegations that he attacked his ex-girlfriend and threatened to shoot her in 2014.
A Butler County jury found Lawrence P. Blakeley, 55, not guilty of all the charges related to the Nov. 10, 2014, allegations.
Charlotte Peffer told investigators at that time that she and Blakeley had broken up and she was gathering her belongings when he threatened to kill her, according to court documents.
She alleged he slammed her head off the door, causing a bump on the side of the head. Moments later, she said she saw Blakeley holding a shotgun.
“My client told me from the very beginning that he was innocent and prepared to go to a trial,” said defense attorney Dennis McCurdy.
McCurdy said he stressed to the jury the inconsistencies in the woman’s story. Additionally, McCurdy said the jury heard a four-minute call the woman made to 911.
“If you are in the home with an armed gunman, wouldn’t the first thing you would want to is say, ‘This person has a gun,’” McCurdy asked.
McCurdy said the woman did not do that, and there is no noise on the tape that would indicate Blakeley is attempting to attack her.
“It’s just her whispering,” he said.
Assistant District Attorney Terri Schultz, who prosecuted the case, could not be reached for comment.
County Judge William Shaffer presided over Blakeley’s one-day trial.
