Late last week a Warren County jury found a man accused of beating an older woman and stealing from her guilty in the May 2014 incident.

Bryan Morton, 34, was found guilty on three counts—attempted murder, armed robbery and burglary of a dwelling.

Morton was indicted with codefendant Kimberly Chapman in October 2014. Circuit Court Judge Isadore Patrick severed the indictment, which means Chapman will have a separate trial if she doesn’t plead. During the trial, Chapman testified against Morton.

“We anticipate her pleading,” District Attorney Ricky Smith said.

Chapman and Morton are accused of meeting each other late one night in May 2014 in search of money for drugs, Smith said. The pair broke into a nearby residence on the 3600 block of Warriors Trial and took money, a wedding ring and a purse.

Things changed when resident Charlie Arnold, awake in the home, realized someone was there and then recognized Chapman, Smith said. At that point the duo began to repeatedly beat Arnold in the head with a metal walking cane and a knife, he said.

“She suffered significant injuries and was left for dead,” Smith said.

During the trial Arnold’s husband testified she had to have 200 stitches in her head and went through over four months of intensive care and therapy. She still has a lingering issue with her sight, but for the most part is doing well now, Smith said.

“It’s a miracle she survived the trauma,” Smith said. “I feel confident she would not have survived had deputy [Jason] Bailess not found her when he did.”

When Bailess, who knew Arnold, saw Chapman in bloody clothing with Arnold’s identification the next day, he went to the Arnold home to check things out and found her beaten.

Assistant district attorney Marcie Southerland worked hard to find a woman Morton confided in the night of the crime, who now lives in Texas, and brought her back to Warren County to testify.

“Her testimony corroborated with the codefendant,” Southerland said.

Smith complimented Southerland on locating the witness and said he appreciated her dedication to give Arnold justice.

“It really made a difference, I believe, in the trial,” Smith said.

The jury was chosen Monday and the trial began Wednesday. The jury stayed late into the evening and delivered their verdict around 9 p.m. Friday night. Southerland said the jury deliberated for less than two hours.

“It was a very full three days, and I commend the jury,” Smith said. “They really put in a good effort.”

He said he was proud to give the Arnold family piece of mind and said it sends a message that harm of older citizens will not be tolerated in Warren County.

Morton’s attorney Eugene Perrier was not available for comment.

Morton will be sentenced at 9 a.m. Monday, May 9.