Newburg woman charged with first- and second-degree assault

Wife allegedly attempted to stab husband with a butcher knife

Dody Michelle Royer, 51, of Newburg has been charged with first- and second-degree assault and reckless endangerment following a confrontation with her husband during which she allegedly hit him with a cane and threatened him with a butcher knife.

According to Charles County District Court documents, on Sept. 11, at a private residence in Newburg, around the hours of 11 a.m. and noon, Royer and her husband were arguing about her drinking. Royer allegedly told her husband to get out of the house but he refused to leave.

The victim claims Royer wanted him to leave so she could continue drinking. When the victim did not leave, Royer allegedly went into the kitchen and grabbed a wooden walking cane, said “better yet,” and then went to the sink and grabbed a butcher knife.

The victim attempted to leave the house once Royer grabbed the knife and Royer allegedly hit the victim on the back of his head with the cane.

Following the victim outside, Royer allegedly began hitting the victim repeatedly with the cane while he was against her father’s car. The victim straightened up and was able to snatch the cane away from Royer. Royer screamed and allegedly began swinging the butcher knife around with what seemed a deliberate attempt to stab the victim.

To avoid being stabbed, the victim managed to grab the blade of the knife with his right hand, resulting in six slash marks from Royer allegedly twisting the knife to get it free.

Royer is due to appear in court for preliminary inquiry on Nov. 19.