A Virginia woman has been accused of forcing her husband to stab and disembowel a pizza shop employee due to a faulty order.
Catherine Natasha Harper, 45, allegedly told her husband, Corey Trelain Harper, 47, both of Chesapeake, Virginia, to “handle the situation” after getting into a heated dispute with a 24-year-old employee at Mod Pizza in Norfolk on Sunday, according to court documents obtained by WAVY.
Authorities say the incident began when Catherine Harper accused the employee of botching her order.
The 45-year-old then summoned her husband to the restaurant, where he stabbed the unnamed victim numerous times, slicing his chest and exposing his intestines, according to court documents.
The couple allegedly fled the scene.
Norfolk Police arrived at the pizza business to find the employee with multiple stab wounds.
He was brought to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The couple was detained and charged with conspiracy to commit malicious assault. Corey Harper also faces accusations of assault and displaying a handgun.
The Harpers appeared in court on Monday and are currently being held without release at Norfolk City Jail.
They are next set to appear in court on January 14, 2025.
Mod Pizza responded in a statement to WAVY that it was “dismayed” to learn what had happened at their establishment.
“Please keep in mind that this is an ongoing investigation, and we are working with local law enforcement. While our team member recovers in the hospital, we are completing our due diligence and will make an informed conclusion about this circumstance,” the statement stated.
“Moments like these force organizations to re-examine employee training and look for ways to reinforce values and expectations.”