Stabbing suspect faces assault charges

LITTLE FALLS -- A 34-year-old Cushing man accused of stabbing a Little Falls man Sunday was charged with first- and second-degree assault Wednesday in Morrison County Court.

Jermon A. Schwatka was charged with stabbing Stanley Joseph Terrion, 51, in the abdomen at a friend's home at 718 11th St. N.E. in Little Falls.

According to the criminal complaint, witnesses said there had been some bad feelings between Terrion and Schwatka because Terrion and Viola Hanson, who also resides in the house, had refused to let Schwatka and his girlfriend move into the house. Witnesses said when Schwatka came to the house he was told to leave. He refused, took a swing at Terrion and a struggle ensued.

During the struggle, Schwatka pulled a knife from his pocket, stabbed Terrion in the side and then ran away from the house.

The criminal complaint said Schwatka stated he took the knife out in self-defense. He said he did not know how anyone got stabbed. He told Little Falls police officers that when he saw blood he ran from the Terrion residence and threw the knife on the ground. Officers were unable to find the knife.

Schwatka's next court appearance will be Monday.

Terrion was transported to St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls where he was treated for a cut liver and internal bleeding. His injury required surgery and he remains in intensive care, the criminal complaint said.

JENNIFER STOCKINGER can be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.