Friday, November 19, 2010

Ice pick stabbing leads to attempted murder charges


November 19, 2010, 02:19 AM By Michelle Durand Daily Journal Staff
 
A Pacifica man stabbed his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend with an ice pick through the ear to his brain after encountering the couple while drinking at the beach with his new paramour, according to prosecutors.

Arthur John Armstrong, 37, denied doing anything other than physically assaulting the 39-year-old victim Monday night near the pier in Pacifica, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

However, Wagstaffe said, authorities found an ice pick in the bushes near the scene of the assault and the victim is currently in a drug-induced coma with brain swelling.

On Thursday, Armstrong appeared in San Mateo County Superior Court on charges of attempted murder and assault plus the special allegations of using a knife and causing great bodily injury. Armstrong asked for a court-appointed attorney and put off a plea until Nov. 24 after his attorney is assigned. He was ordered held without bail.

Armstrong and the victim met up the evening of Nov. 15 after they separately headed to the same beach area near the pier to drink with their girlfriends, Wagstaffe said.
Armstrong’s current girlfriend reportedly was previously involved with the victim.

The victim told police the couples exchanged insults before Armstrong threw a lit firecracker in their direction. When the victim asked what he was doing, he said Armstrong approached and began punching him while the ex-girlfriend assaulted the current girlfriend.


Submitted by Jim Alex

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