Formal charges have been filed against a 44-year-old Newton man for a case that required hospital treatment for four people in that city over the weekend.
Martin Luther King Smith Jr. is now charged with 3-counts of attempted 1st degree murder, aggravated battery, aggravated burglary, and criminal threat.
According to Newton Police Sgt. Scott Powell, Smith and his live in girlfriend got into an argument Saturday night, March 1st. She then took two teenage boys with her and went to friends home to get away from him.
He then allegedly showed up at the home, broke in where he then began stabbing everyone present including his girlfriend, her friend and one of the teenage boys. The other boy was also injured, but from trying to break out a window to get away from Smith according to Powell.
Smith apparently showed up at the Harvey County Jail where he told authorities that he had stabbed people and wanted to turn himself in. But later, he apparently changed his mind then got into an altercation with one of the officers. He then allegedly punched that officer.
Most of the victims were treated at the Newton Medical Center, while one was taken to Wesley Medical Center. None had life threatening injuries according to Sgt. Powell and all have been released.
Harvey County Attorney David Yoder says the case is still under investigation and more charges will be coming. He says he wanted to get the more serious charges filed first. He says a tentative date for a preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 14.
Smith has a half million dollar bond and remains in custody at the Harvey County Detention Center.