Sheriff's Office: Woman punched in face nearly kills boyfriend with utility knife

A Crestview woman is accused of nearly killing her boyfriend by cutting his throat and stomach with a utility knife after he reportedly punched her in the face.

Penny Mesue Casey, 37, is charged with felony aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Her boyfriend, Crestview resident William Grace, 38, was treated at North Okaloosa Medical Center and later charged with domestic violence in the incident that occurred about 8 p.m. Monday.

According to an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s report, Casey, Grace and another woman had just left a party in a car belonging to Grace’s employer when Casey and Grace began to argue.

They were headed east on U.S. 90 when Grace pulled over in a secluded area south of Grady Johnson Road and got out to urinate.

Casey got out of the truck as well and the two continued to argue, according the arrest report.

“Casey was struck in the face by Grace,” the report states. “Casey returned to the vehicle and retrieved a utility knife. She returned to Grace’s location and cut him in the throat and abdomen area.”

The wounds to Grace’s throat was so severe “it almost cost him his life,” doctors at the hospital told an investigator.

The cut to Grace’s stomach had to be closed with staples.

After the incident, Casey attempted to drive away in the car owned by Grace’s employer but it was stuck in the sand, according to the report.

Casey and the other woman in the car at the time of the incident reportedly walked away, leaving Grace at the scene.