A Ketchikan man is charged with felony assault after police say he stabbed his landlord over a disagreement about a laundry machine.
Ketchikan police were called to a home on Millar Street Saturday night and say they found the victim bleeding from a severe puncture wound to the chest. Police say 45-year-old Justin William Carpenter could not get a laundry machine to work, and “got all bent out of shape” when his landlord tried to help. When police arrived on scene, they say Carpenter was outside in an intoxicated state, with blood on his clothing, pointing to a knife by his feet and claiming self-defense.
According to the police complaint, emergency room staff say the victim had four stab wounds in his chest and neck. He also suffered internal bleeding and a collapsed lung. The victim was medevaced to Anchorage for treatment of his injuries.
Carpenter was arraigned on Sunday for one count of first-degree assault, a felony. His attorney, Ariel Toft, declined a request for comment.
Carpenter’s next court appearance is Friday morning at the Ketchikan Courthouse.
Hunter Morrison is a Report for America corps member for KRBD. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution.
