Stabbing suspect reaches plea deal that dismisses murder charge

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — A plea deal for the suspect in a fatal stabbing starting in 2022 will dismiss a murder charge but retain two other counts if a judge accepts the terms of the deal.

The suspect, Floyd Bates Jr., 60, signed the plea agreement Friday and will plead guilty to charges of voluntary manslaughter, a Level 2 felony, and battery with a deadly weapon, a felony level 5, after initially being charged with the murder of 34-year-old Margaret Surry.

Police arrived to the 7900 block of Decatur Road on Oct. 14, 2022, and found Surry motionless with a cut to his throat, according to court documents related to the case.

An autopsy report from the Allen County Coroner's Office said Surry died from stab wounds to the neck and torso.

Bates is also accused of stabbing Surry's father and leaving him with non-life-threatening injuries, according to court documents.

Under the plea agreement, Bates will serve a three-year sentence for the battery charge and 30 years for the voluntary manslaughter charge if a judge agrees to the conditions, and the two charges will run concurrently.

Bates' sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 21.