Crazy attacks

A West Chester man told a judge Tuesday how his daughter's ex-boyfriend burst through a door and terrorized him and his family with a butcher knife for about an hour last week. Terrence Candidate, 23, "was acting wildly and crazy," William H. Murray Jr. testified Tuesday in Butler County Area III Court. Candidate, whose bond was set at $2.85 million, was arrested on multiple charges stemming from the incident Thursday night at Murray's home on Birkdale Drive. Candidate would periodically calm down and then become agitated, Murray said. Candidate repeatedly threatened, "I'm gonna hurt y'all," Murray said, and also insisted that Murray and his family knew the reason for Candidate's tirade. But Murray said he couldn't think of any rational explanation for Candidate's behavior. Murray said he and Candidate got into a struggle. Murray ended up with knife wounds above his right eye and to the back of his head. The eye wound required 35 stitches, the head wound 12. "I was worried about my family, getting out of that house and the nightmare with him," Murray said. Murray was at home with his wife and two daughters. His son arrived later, and Candidate left soon afterward, Murray said. Police accuse Candidate of stealing a 2002 Kia Spectra that belongs to his ex-girlfriend, Sandra Osborne, court records say. After officers tracked that vehicle to Candidate's apartment complex on Lakeside Drive, Special Weapons and Tactics team officers captured Candidate on Friday. After Murray's testimony, Judge Robert Hendrickson found enough evidence to send the case to a Butler County grand jury. The grand jury can add, delete or change the charges against Candidate: aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, kidnapping, felonious assault and felony theft. Assistant Prosecutor Brad Burress said those charges carry a potential prison term of nearly 40 years if Candidate is convicted.