Woman found guilty in fatal Monroe stabbing

7/28/2009

MONROE A Monroe woman entered a plea Monday in the June, 2005, stabbing death of a 78-year-old man.

Dawn Duvall, 30, pleaded no contest in Monroe County Circuit Court to second-degree murder for killing William Gilbreath. Judge Michael LaBeau found her guilty of the crime. She will be sentenced Aug. 27.

Jack Simms, an assistant county prosecutor, said the plea agreement calls for a recommended sentence of 18 to nearly 32 years in prison.

Authorities said Mr. Gilbreath, who lived alone, was stabbed or slashed 76 times in his home.

Mr. Simms said Duvall said in court that she stabbed the victim in an effort to fight off his sexual advances.

Police arrested Scott Hensley, 29, and Kurtis Martell, 32, in June, 2007, for the murder. They were cleared of the charge last year after a witness came forward with new evidence.