Accused sword attacker gets probation

SANDUSKY — A Sandusky man who allegedly slashed his roommate with a samurai-style sword was recently sentenced to probation. William Toler, 42, of the 1300 block of First St., pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault, a fourth-degree felony. He was originally indicted in March with two counts of felonious assault, both of which are second-degree felonies. On Jan. 27, Erie County Common Pleas Coirt Judge Beverly McGookey sentenced Toler to three years of community control sanctions, commonly known as probation. If he breaks the terms of his probation, he could face between six months anerd 18 months in prison. Toler was accused of assaulting a roommate in February 2025 after an argument. When first responders arrived at the home, they found the victim with stab wounds to the abdomen, right arm and right leg, according to a Sandusky police report. Officers said that the abdomen wound was "bleeding profusely," the report states. A man was applying direct pressure to the wound. Blood was "all over the male subject" and "covering the snow around them," according to the report. Witnesses told officers Toler and the victim, who were in a romantic relationship, had argued all day — and, at one point, the two got into a physical altercation that resulted in the victim receiving a head injury. The victim reportedly started hanging out with the witnesses while Toler stayed in his bedroom. The victim, at one point, went into the bedroom to retrieve something. Toler and the victim then started arguing again. A witness was able to pull the victim out of the bedroom. The victim reportedly had a hatchet, which the witness was able to remove from the victim's control. Toler then reportedly exited the bedroom holding a sword in one hand and a knife in the other.