Couch stabbed elderly man 32 times in murder

Police say a woman stabbed a 77-year-old man 32 times then robbed him and left him in a ditch.

John Lee Couch, 44, of Manchester, is charged with murder and robbery 1st in the death of Rufus Smallwood, of Goose Rock, according to a report filed by Kentucky State Police Detective Logan Gay.

The warrant for Couch’s arrest gives further insight into the grisly murder.

According to the warrant filed by the officer, “(John Lee Couch) unlawfully killed Rufus Smallwood by means of stabbing him with a knife 32 times and blunt force trauma to the head.”

Smallwood was found in a ditch line on Crawfish Road in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

Items found at the crime scene connected were connected to Couch, according to the detective.

Police say Couch confessed to a third party about getting into an altercation with an individual in that area. Multiple witnesses put Couch and Smallwood in the same vehicle together on the date of his murder, the warrant stated.

Smallwood had roughly $3,000 in cash on his person at the time of his death; his wallet was removed, emptied, and left on Crawfish Road, according to the warrant.

Eyewitnesses say they saw Couch with a large sum of cash.

Smallwood’s truck was disabled following the killing and police say Couch walked to a home on Curry Branch and asked for a ride. The individuals she asked drove her to her home, where she stated she needed to get cleaned up and change clothes.

Possible murder weapons were found near the crime scene and have been collected as evidence.

Couch will appear in Clay District Court Thursday for arraignment.

Smallwood’s body was sent to Frankfort for an autopsy.

Funeral arrangements for Mr. Smallwood will be updated at themanchesterenterprise.com