An Orange County man is behind bars, charged with attempted third degree murder, after he attempted to throw a woman over the guard rail of a second floor apartment, according to deputies.
Brian Copening, 49, was arrested early this morning and also faces charges of battery, false imprisonment and tampering with evidence in connection with the incident at the West Oaks Apartments.
A woman told investigators that she and Copening were spending the evening drinking when he became intoxicated, early on Tuesday morning. She asked him to leave her apartment but Copening became violent and grabbed her keys and cell phone. The victim said he began punching her and when she was able to free herself, Copening grabbed her and “threw her over the guard rail of the second floor balcony.”
The woman was able to hang on with one hand and was rescued by a witness who helped her back over the balcony.
She pulled the fire alarm for additional assistance, the victim told investigators.
Copening was arrested and remains in the Orange County Jail, without bond.
