Wife accused of stabbing sleeping husband

SABINE COUNTY - by Steve Stewart/KJAS - Deputies in Sabine County say they are investigating a case of a woman stabbing her common law husband while he slept, and then refusing to allow him to call for medical help.

According to Sabine County Chief Deputy Tony Miller, he and other deputies responded to 675 Hickory Hill, in the south end of the county, shortly after 2:00 Tuesday afternoon when the man called 911 and reported that he had been stabbed, and his wife had left the house.

Miller said he spotted the woman while he was responding to the house, and she was stopped and detained.

Meanwhile, deputies found 35-year-old Devin Leith Murphy in the house, suffering from two stab wounds to his upper torso. Murphy is currently undergoing treatment at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont.

However, Miller said the investigation is being hindered by the staff at the hospital, who are refusing to give the sheriff's department information on Murphy's condition, citing the controversial HIPAA law.

The woman, identified as 32-year-old Leisa Diane Hyden of Buna, appeared before a Sabine County Justice of the Peace on Wednesday, and was officially charged with attempted murder. Bond on Hyden was set at $50,000.00, and as of Wednesday evening she remained in the Sabine County Jail.