Cumberland County man pleads guilty to attempted murder

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — A Carlisle man has pleaded guilty to multiple charges after officials say he stabbed his ex-girlfriend, led law enforcement on a high-speed chase and solicited multiple Cumberland County Prison inmates to kill the victim and witnesses involved in his case.

According to the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office, Jonathan Lepperd entered guilty pleas to Criminal Attempt to Murder of the First Degree, Retaliation Against Victim, Fleeing and Eluding Police, and Criminal Solicitation to Murder of the First Degree on Wednesday, April 24.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 28, and the office says there is an agreement that Lepperd will receive a sentence of between 20 and 40 years in a state correctional institution.

The District Attorney’s office says the charges stem from several incidents dating back to March 2023.

PAST COVERAGE: Carlisle man arrested after allegedly stabbing girlfriend

According to the office, the victim first reported being assaulted by her ex-boyfriend to Pennsylvania State Police on March 28, 2023. The office says she obtained a Protection from Abuse Order that day.

Three days later on March 31, the office says, Lepperd attacked the victim from behind outside her home and stabbed her multiple times.

The office says a bystander witnessed the attack and intervened. The victim was then airlifted to Hershey Medical Center for treatment.

After the attack, the office says, Lepperd fled the scene in his vehicle and led troopers on a high-speed chase.

According to the office, Lepperd could be heard saying, “You think that PFA was going to stop me?” to troopers during the pursuit.

After he was arrested, the office says, he was awaiting trial in Cumberland County Prison when he solicited multiple inmates to kill the victim and witnesses.

PAST COVERAGE: Cumberland County inmate accused of “murder for hire” plot

According to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in three women, one in four men and nearly half of LGBTQ+ individuals will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. In Pennsylvania, 104 victims died of domestic violence last year, and 54% were killed by a current or former partner.

To find help for yourself or a loved one, go to www.pcadv.org.

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