COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A Coldwater man has been charged following a Michigan State Police investigation into a stabbing incident near the north city limits of Coldwater Friday night.
According to Branch County court documents, 36-year-old Roberto Martinez-Loera was formally charged during a District Court video arraignment on Saturday with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and assault with a dangerous weapon.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the suspect and the alleged victim who was identified as Denny Elkins got into an argument earlier in the day at the Hungry Howies store on Marshall Street which ended with the suspect’s truck being kicked by Elkins.
The two men then got into a back-and-forth exchange via text messages which included physical threats.
Documents indicate the stabbing took place at about 6:00 p.m. on Friday as Martinez-Loera was leaving his residence on a bike.
He told investigators Elkins tackled him off of his bike. Court documents state Elkins said to investigators he went to go meet up with the suspect at his residence when he saw him on his bicycle riding down the road.
The two men wrestled on the ground before Elkins was allegedly stabbed at least twice and sustained apparent stab wounds to his legs and abdomen. Elkins was transported to Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. The incident led to a number of police units showing up in the area of Marshall Road and State Street on Friday night.
Bond for Martinez-Loera was set at $35,000 cash or surety and not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf. Should the defendant post bond, he was ordered not to have any contact with Elkins.
A probable cause hearing was scheduled for March 9 with a preliminary exam set for March 14.
How is this not attempted murder??
Is our new jail full that we have to set low bonds or are we just setting low bonds so they can make bond?