ST. GEORGE – Additional information has been released regarding a stabbing that took place Wednesday in St. George.
The stabbing occurred early Wednesday morning at an apartment complex in the area of 600 North and 500 West. According to a probable cause statement filed by St. George Police Detective Terrance Taylor in connection with the arrest, the stabbing victim was stabbed four times with a 12-inch blade.
Alexander Gatherum, 20, of St. George – who was arrested Wednesday in connection with the incident – told police the man who had been stabbed had asked if he could come over to Gatherum’s residence to talk. He armed himself with a 12-inch serrated knife which he placed in a sheath and hid inside his waistband, Gatherum said to investigators. He did this, he said, in order to “be prepared for anything.”
After the man arrived at Gatherum’s home, Gatherum turned his back on him and the man proceeded to use what Gatherum described as “an electronic device” or a suspected stun gun on him, according to the statement. Gatherum then unsheathed his knife and held it in his hand with the blade toward the man. Gatherum told investigators he began striking at the man using his fists, admitting that the knife was still in his hand. Gatherum said the man then ran out of the room, and Gatherum followed him, still holding the knife.
It was at this time that Taylor Cole Hintz, 20, of St. George, arrived at the residence. According to the detective’s statement, both Hintz and Gatherum continued striking the man while he lay on the ground. Gatherum told investigators it was at this point that he finally dropped the knife, but continued assaulting the man.
When the man began yelling for help, Gatherum and Hintz told police they allowed him to get up and run out of the home. It was only then that he noticed the victim was not only bleeding from his nose but his side, as well, Gatherum said to police.
The man received four stab wounds in various places on his body, as well as a long slice on his right side. According to the detective’s statement, the injuries were “serious and potentially life threatening.”
Gatherum told investigators that no one else had brandished a knife or weapon during the altercation. He said he did not intend to stab or slice the man but admitted the injuries could have occurred from his knife.
Gatherum and Hintz have both been arrested and charged in the case.
Gatherum was booked into Washington County’s Purgatory Correctional Facility on charges of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony, and possession of paraphernalia, a class-B misdemeanor. Gatherum is currently in custody, with bail set at $5,583, according to booking information.
Hintz was booked into the Purgatory Correctional Facility on charges of aggravated assault, a second-degree felony; receiving stolen property, a class-B misdemeanor; and an unrelated warrant out of Box Elder County. Hintz’ bail was set at $11,223 and he has been released, according to booking information.
Deputy Washington County Attorney Ryan Shaum said the County Attorney’s Office has filed charges against both Gatherum and Hintz. Both made their initial appearances in 5th District Court Thursday.
“Whenever there is a case involving an assault, there is a potential of an affirmative defense of self-defense,” Schaum said. “You have to look at the level of the assault and the level of the defense being used. We evaluate that on a case-by-case basis, and in this particular case we felt that the aggravated assault charges were appropriate. When you use force that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, hopefully that amount of force is only being used if there is a threat of death or serious bodily injury to you.”
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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