Chattanooga: Stabbing case sent to grand jury

Attempted first-degree murder and aggravated robbery charges against a 44-year-old Chattanooga woman accused in a downtown stabbing were bound over to the grand jury this morning.

Verdale Sheppard was booked on the charges on Feb. 25 following an incident at the Downtown Mart at 706 Market St. the day before.

Store clerk Sun Yee Rhee, 67, was stabbed in the head and face. The assailant choked Rhee and banged her head on the ground, then knocked the cash register into the floor, took $100 and ran.

Rhee was treated at Erlanger hospital for 12 stab wounds that took 18 to 20 stitches to close, according to the arrest report.

Police said Sheppard contacted authorities and said she wanted to turn herself in.