CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A disabled woman said her handyman tried to sexually assault her and then left her for dead in a burning house along Walkers Ferry Road in west Charlotte.
Eyewitness News obtained court documents. Police say the victim told them she has multiple sclerosis and goes back and forth between using a cane and a wheelchair. Police say she told them her handyman stopped by, she let him in, he put on blue latex gloves, and he tried to sexually assault her. Apparently, she hit him with her cane, but he grabbed it and hit her on the head with it. Then, police believe he took out a knife, stabbed her repeatedly in the chest and left arm, and set the house on fire.
Firefighters found her on the floor, unconscious, but got her out in time.
"This lady just didn't deserve this,” her neighbor, Nancy Wenderlein, said.
Police charged 22-year-old Ryan Capps with attempted murder, arson, sexual battery and assault on a handicapped person. They say they seized knives and a Taser from his home.
When Eyewitness News went by there, a woman answered. Even though she preferred not to be on camera, she seemed passionate about defending her friend.
"The truth is going to come out and he's going to be proven innocent of all charges,” she said.
At last check, Capps was still behind bars, held on more than $100,000 bond. CMC isn't releasing information about the victim.
WSOC
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