Man indicted on murder charges for reportedly hitting Middletown woman with machete

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Credit: HANDOUT

Credit: HANDOUT

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A Preble County man accused of hitting a Middletown woman with a machete and killing her was indicted on murder charges.

Kenneth Wayne Brabant is facing two counts each of murder and felonious assault and one count each of involuntary manslaughter, attempt to commit an offense and tampering with evidence in Preble County Common Pleas Court.

His bond was previously set at $1 million in municipal court.

Brabant has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, according to court records.

Kenneth W. Brabant. Photo courtesy the Preble County Sheriff's Office.

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On June 22, 41-year-old Leigha L. Huff was riding on a motorcycle with a friend in Preble County.

While in the 7700 block of Upper Sommes Road near Camden, a man reportedly ran toward Huff and her friend with something in his hand.

Huff’s friend drove away and shortly after Huff reported was bleeding badly, according to Eaton Municipal Court records.

The man drove them to a friend’s house on Aukerman Creek Road and 911 was called.

Preble County sheriff’s deputies and medics responded. The woman was reportedly bleeding heavily from a cut on her leg.

Huff was pronounced dead at the home.

Deputies served a search warrant at the Upper Sommes Road property and interviewed Brabant.

Brabant said he heard a motorcycle coming through the S-curves on the street. He grabbed a machete and went to the road before swinging it at a motorcycle, according to municipal court documents.

“After swinging he noticed there was blood on the machete; he attempted to clean it off and then hid it in the woods behind his residence,” an affidavit read.

Brabant reportedly told deputies he didn’t know who was on the motorcycle or how many people were riding it.

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