Louisville man pleads not guilty to attack on elderly woman who had been helping him

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Louisville man accused of stabbing a woman multiple times on New Year's Eve pleaded not guilty Thursday morning.

Anthony Thornton, 54, of Louisville, was arrested for allegedly attacking the neighbor that had been helping him.

In a news release, LMPD Sgt. Matt Sanders said police responded to a stabbing in the 300 block of North 44th Street around 5:17 p.m. Tuesday night. When police arrived, they found a woman who had been stabbed multiple times.

The victim, Linda Johnson, is Thornton's elderly neighbor. Neighbors told WDRB Johnson is in her 70s.

One neighbor, who wanted to stay anonymous out of fear of retaliation, called Johnson "very sweet and very accommodating."

Neighbors told WDRB Linda Johnson was stabbed several times on New Year's Eve by her neighbor, Anthony Thornton.
Linda Doty-Johnson's Facebook page

According to several Shawnee residents, Thornton had been living in a home without heat, water, and other utilities for months. Johnson had been giving him food, water, and clothing to help.

Tuesday night, neighbors told WDRB they saw Thornton screaming and stabbing Johnson outside of her home.

"He kicked her and was beating her," one neighbor said. "I remember thinking, 'Oh, my goodness, she's bleeding very badly.'"

Several neighbors rushed to help Johnson until officers and EMS arrived. Officers tased Thornton before taking him into custody.

Thornton faces charges for assault, two counts of wanton endangerment, and terroristic threatening. In a separate case, which also happened Dec. 31, Thornton is charged with robbery.

Court documents reveal Thornton has a lengthy criminal history in Jefferson County that dates back to 1996.

"We have significant concerns for the safety of the community," prosecutor Kristen Southard said. "There's a documented history of domestic violence."

Johnson was taken to UofL Health Hospital in downtown Louisville in critical condition. LMPD said she is expected to survive. Thornton isn't allowed to reach out.

"Any way you can think to contact them, don't do it," Judge Jude Wolford said at Thornton's arraignment on Thursday.

Police believe the stabbing happened after a dispute among neighbors. Neighbors told WDRB they're "scared" about Thornton returning to the neighborhood because "he's dangerous."

Thornton is being held at Metro Corrections in downtown Louisville. He pleaded not guilty in court Thursday morning, and a judge set his bond at $150,000. If he posts bond, he will be under home incarceration.

Judge Wolford ruled he's not allowed to have any weapons, "including, but not limited to, knives."

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