By TODD HELBERG
cnedit@crescent-news.com
A Defiance woman and her daughter have been indicted on several felony charges in the wake of a family dispute last month.
Mary Emerson, 55, 904 Karnes Ave., was indicted by a Defiance County grand jury for attempted aggravated murder, a first-degree felony; felonious assault, a second-degree felony; retaliation, a third-degree felony; and tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony.
Her daughter, Karen Emerson, 37, 904 Karnes Ave., was also indicted for complicity in the commission of retaliation, a third-degree felony; complicity in tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony; and obstructing justice, a third-degree felony.
Each was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday morning in Defiance County Common Pleas Court.
Mary Emerson was being held in the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio on a $500,000 cash bond while Karen Emerson was issued a summons to appear in court on her three charges.
According to authorities, Mary Emerson allegedly assaulted her daughter-in-law, Jackie Emerson, 31, 15810 Ohio 18, Sherwood, with a knife at the victim's residence on Nov. 23. The indictment alleges that Mary Emerson used "prior calculation and design," thus the aggravated offense.
Jackie Emerson was treated and released at Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers, Bryan.
Karen Emerson allegedly drove her mother to the scene, according to assistant county prosecutor Morris Murray.
He said the two women allegedly tried to discard the weapon, which was recovered.
The indictment also alleges that Karen Emerson restrained others in the home from attempting to contact emergency personnel and/or police about the incident.
The retaliation charges allege that the assault was in response to action earlier involving the defendants and the victim.
Specifically, lawmen allege, Mary Emerson went to Jackie Emerson's residence to confront her about an incident which resulted in the arrest of Mary's son, Mitch Emerson, 34, Sherwood. He is Jackie Emerson's husband.
Authorities said Mary Emerson sustained a superficial cut to her hand and was treated at Defiance Regional Medical Center.