Wiccan woman stabs self during ceremony

LEBANON, Ind., July 22 (UPI) -- Police in Lebanon, Ind., said a woman performing a Wiccan ceremony in a city cemetery accidentally stabbed herself in the foot with a ceremonial sword.

A Lebanon Police Department release said Katherine Gunther, 36, ran the 36-inch blade through her left foot at about 12:15 a.m. Saturday while performing a ceremony of thanks at Oak Hill Cemetery, The Indianapolis Star reported Tuesday.

Gunther told police she was performing the ceremony because she recently had a string of good luck and wanted to express her gratitude with the religious ceremony. She said the blade hit her foot accidentally while she was attempting to put it into the ground.

"It wasn't the first time I performed the ritual, but it was the first time I put a sword through my foot," she said.

She was taken by fellow participants in the ceremony to Witham Memorial Hospital, where she was admitted in stable condition. Gunther said she suffered a compound fracture and expected to be released from the hospital Tuesday.

Police said they do not expect to file any charges stemming from the incident, but Gunther and her group were warned by officers to avoid trespassing in the cemetery after established visiting hours.