Man accused in area home invasion, stabbing

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Story Created: Fri Apr 27, 2012 2:36 PM

Story Updated: Fri Apr 27, 2012 2:37 PM

GOLCONDA, Ill. (AP) — A man is jailed on $1.5 million bond after being accused of armed robbery and attempted murder in a southern Illinois home invasion that authorities say left an 82-year-old man stabbed.

Prosecutors in Pope County charged 61-year-old Byron Kirkland of Benton on Thursday.

Authorities allege that Kirkland was allowed into Herschel Matheny's home under the pretense of needing to use a telephone, then stabbed Matheny and struggled with 75-year-old housemate Jacqueline Hicks.

Investigators believe that when Kirkland allowed Hicks to go to another room to retrieve money, the woman emerged with a gun and chased off the suspect.

State police say Matheny was taken to an Evansville, Ind., hospital and is expected to survive.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)