Salem Woman Goes To Court To Face Man Who Allegedly Beat, Blinded Her
SALEM (CBS) -- A month after being beaten and stabbed in her home, a Salem woman was present in court Wednesday hoping to face her alleged attacker.
Sarah Turner hugged friends and family who came to support her, though the 28-year-old could barely speak because her jaw is wired shut. Her sister, Shannon Turner, says she has undergone two surgeries since the attack, and is now blind in one eye.
Prosecutors say Peter Turco of Salem forced his way into Turner's apartment in July and beat and stabbed her on behalf of her ex-boyfriend. He had just been released from prison four days earlier.
Turner waived his appearance in court Wednesday.
"I'm kind of relieved that he was scared to show his face in court," Shannon Turner told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz. "It just proves how big of a coward he was."
According to prosecutors, Turco and Turner's ex-boyfriend, Evan Kinlock, were both members of a jail house gang called "Crazy White Boyz."
Turner told police that, during the attack, Turco told her, "Evan was going to get between your relationship somehow."
"I think it would have been a lot harder for Sarah to actually see him," Shannon said.
After the attack, Sarah was able to give police Turco's name and identify him in a photo array.
The judge said the photos of her injuries are some of the worst he's ever seen.
Shannon said the road to recovery for her little sister will be a long one. A GoFundMe page was opened last month on her behalf.
Turco remains held without bail after pleading not guilty.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports
