Published Friday, July 11, 2008

Haralson man recovering from stabbing incident

By Elizabeth Richardson

The Times-Herald

A Haralson man stabbed earlier this week during a drug deal remains in an Atlanta area hospital where he has improved from critical condition, authorities say.

Caleb Levert McCrary, 19, was stabbed once in the lower abdomen Tuesday shortly before 4:30 p.m. while admittedly attempting to purchase drugs, according to Major James Yarbrough of the Coweta County Sheriff's Office. McCrary, who was initially "extremely uncooperative" with police -- according to the police incident report -- later stated that he was trying to buy $10 worth of marijuana from 17-year-old Robert Slovick Jr. of Senoia when Slovick stabbed him.

Slovick later told investigators that he stabbed McCrary in self-defense because he feared for his own safety.

Following the stabbing incident, McCrary ran to his home on Highway 85 in Haralson and was picked up by EMS and transported to Spalding Regional Medical Center. He was later taken to an Atlanta hospital.

According to Lt. John Lewis of the sheriff's office, investigators have interviewed both subjects extensively and have decided not to file any criminal charges against either person. The case has been turned over to the district attorney's office for review.