Jury finds Austell man guilty of trying to murder ex-girlfriend
COBB COUNTY, Ga. - A jury has convicted an Austell man of trying to violently murder his ex-girlfriend in 2017.
Police say 59-year-old Anthony Todd Aaron had dated the victim on and off for eight years. When she tried to end the relationship on March 12, 2017, he then sent her text messages threatening to kill her, which she didn't see because he had been blocked on her cellphone – only seeing them after the attempted murder.
That same day, police said he showed up at her apartment door to convince her to change her mind. When she refused, officials say Aaron choked the victim, then dragged her to the kitchen and stabbed her 14 times with a knife.
“This defendant meant to kill his victim – he stabbed her not once, but 14 times – and this verdict and sentence holds him accountable for the evil he did,” said Assistant District Attorney Julianna Peterson.
The woman survived, running screaming out of the apartment and knocking on neighbors doors while he was distracted. Medics transported her to Grady Memorial Hospital, where she eventually recovered.
Police arrested Aaron on the same day, They say he told officers that he wanted to kill the victim and thought he did after stabbing her in the neck.
A jury convicted Aaron of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and possession of a knife during commission of a felony. The judge sentenced him to 35 years, with 30 years to serve in prison before he can be considered for parole.
Police say Aaron had six prior convictions, which included robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.