Gruenfelder faces more charges

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STANLEY GRUENFELDER

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By JOSHUA COFFMAN jcoffman@thenewsenterprise.com ELIZABETHTOWN — A Radcliff man accused of fleeing from police and assaulting his wife faces additional charges and a much higher bond.  Assault charges against Stanley Francis Gruenfelder Sr., 31, were upgraded to second degree, a class-C felony, after prosecutors said injuries suffered by his wife were more serious than previously thought. He is being held at Hardin County Detention Center in lieu of $400,000 cash bond, and a jail staff member said he is considered a flight risk. Originally arrested July 8 after Vine Grove police said he led them on a high-speed chase that ended in a crash, he also faces charges of wanton endangerment, reckless driving and operating a vehicle without a valid license. Gruenfelder was released the day after his initial arrest. A week later, on July 16, a hand-written obituary bearing his name and family members was submitted to The News-Enterprise by Kyle Edgell, Gruenfelder’s brother-in-law. The newspaper could not confirm the death and did not publish the obituary. Vine Grove police are investigating that incident as a possible attempt to evade prosecution. No charges have been filed in the apparent attempt to falsely report Gruenfelder’s death. First Assistant County Attorney Jenny Pitts said the attempt at faking a death may not be prosecuted unless newspaper personnel complain as victims. The newspaper will not pursue prosecution, editor Warren Wheat said. Gruenfelder was arrested again July 18, accused of violating terms of his release by allegedly contacting his wife, three counts were added to the growing number of charges against him. In jail, another count was filed Monday against Gruenfelder when he was charged with promoting contraband, a class-A misdemeanor. Police accuse him of taking a pack of cigarettes from another inmate’s personal property. Warrants have been served for the state to revoke his previously posted bonds, totaling $30,000 cash, according to Pitts. A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 4 in Hardin District Court. Joshua Coffman can be reached at (270) 505-1740.