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Man Admits Trying to Kill Woman With Meat Tenderizer
9 Jun
Summary
- Man pleads guilty to attempted murder with a meat tenderizer.
- Victim suffered life-threatening injuries including fractures and hematoma.
- Defendant has a prior felony assault conviction from 1997.
Richard Craig McNeal, 58, has admitted to attempting to murder a woman at his home by striking her multiple times with a meat tenderizer. He pleaded guilty on June 8, 2026, to attempted murder and having weapons under disability, which includes a forfeiture of a firearm due to a 1997 felony assault conviction.
The incident occurred on April 20, 2025, at McNeal's Streetsboro residence. An argument over their dog escalated when McNeal attacked the woman from behind with the meat tenderizer. He also reportedly threw her down basement stairs.
The victim sustained critical injuries, including head lacerations, spinal fractures, broken bones, and a life-threatening subdermal hematoma. Sentencing for McNeal is awaiting a probation department report. A jury trial had been scheduled to begin June 15, 2026.
The weapons charge also includes specifications for a 9mm pistol McNeal is prohibited from possessing. Other charges from a grand jury indictment were dismissed as part of the plea agreement in Portage County Common Pleas Court.
