A Butler County sheriff's deputy who survived a stabbing while working a car fire scene now knows his attacker has officially admitted he was trying to kill him.
Phillip Brandon Lovely pleaded guilty Wednesday to attempted aggravated murder and arson after admitting he stabbed Butler County Deputy Mike Farthing at the scene of a car fire and told the officer, “This is your unlucky day.” Farthing was treated at a hospital and later released, and Lovely is scheduled to be sentenced on June 3.
According to WKRC, Lovely entered the plea in Butler County court on April 22 and admitted to the attack. WKRC reports prosecutors dropped counts of felonious assault and inducing panic as part of the agreement. The station also reports Lovely told the judge he has struggled with anxiety and depression for years and that he had taken pills the day of the incident.
Stabbing At The Car Fire Scene
Deputies say Farthing responded to a vehicle fire outside a home in Madison Township on Feb. 5 and was directing traffic when Lovely allegedly walked up behind him and stabbed him through his vest. A struggle followed and officers, with help from a relative at the scene, restrained Lovely before taking him into custody, as reported by WLWT. Authorities say the vehicle had been set alight and later tied to the defendant.
Defendant's Account And Plea Deal
WKRC reports Lovely was first taken to a hospital after telling deputies he had swallowed pills and later appeared in court saying he was unemployed and lived with his father. Court records show prosecutors accepted the guilty plea to attempted aggravated murder and arson and dismissed other counts in exchange. Lovely will remain in custody pending his June 3 sentencing.
Penalties And Next Steps
According to WHIO, Lovely must register as a violent offender and an arson offender before he is sentenced. Officials have not disclosed what sentence prosecutors will seek at the hearing.
Prosecutor Vows To 'Throw The Book'
Prosecutor Mike Gmoser told reporters earlier that the case would be pursued "to the fullest extent of the law" and warned, "I'm going to throw the book at him," as reported by FOX19. Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones described the attack as an apparent attempt to kill a law enforcement officer and praised deputies for securing the scene.
Hoodline previously covered the February indictment; see the earlier update, indicted on new charges. We will update this story with court filings and the outcome of the June 3 hearing.
