HAMILTON — Heather Hobson literally had to fight for her life.

        Before she wrestled her assailant's knife away, she was covered in blood from wounds that required some 300 stitches.

        Her husband, Billy Jack Hobson, 27, was indicted this week in Butler County on an attempted murder charge. If convicted, Mr. Hobson faces up to 10 years in prison. His first court appearance will be on or before March 26.

        Hamilton police and Butler sheriff's records show the Jan. 19 incident was the third allegation of violence between the couple since May 2001. They have been married since Nov. 18, 2000, and have an 18-month-old son.

        Mrs. Hobson obtained restraining orders against her husband in May and November, but dropped each a few days later, court records show. On Jan. 16, a deputy advised her to get another order. She reported that her husband, whom she had kicked out of the house, had warned: “Say your prayers. The cops can't watch you 24 hours a day.”

        Three days later, the Liberty Township mother fought for her life inside their home on Adler Street.

        In an interview Friday, Mrs. Hobson, 28, said she is still wearing bandages on her hands and also is healing from multiple wounds on her throat, back and face.

        A gash runs from her ear to her chin; the ear was cut so badly, it was nearly detached, she said.

        Mr. Hobson has been in the Butler County Jail since Jan. 20, when police found him hiding under the bed of a home on C Street in Hamilton; his jeans had blood on them, a police report says.

        A deputy found Mrs. Hobson lying on the deck of a neighbor's trailer. A kitchen steak knife, with a black handle covered in blood, was next to her.

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