Richards
A man and woman are in custody following a stabbing that occurred either late Wednesday or early Thursday in Cass City.
A press release sent out Friday afternoon by the Tuscola County Prosecutor’s Office stated that multiple charges were leveled against Ashley Elizabeth-Michelle Smith and Cal Bradley Richards, both 31.
The male victim was stabbed multiple times and is presently hospitalized, according to the release.
“We’re extremely fortunate that the response was as quick as it was and there was extraordinary medical care provided,” said Tuscola County Prosecutor Mark Reene. “We could have had a worse outcome.”
Richards is charged with assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to do great bodily harm, tampering with evidence and lying to a peace officer. The assault with intent to murder charge carries the possibility of life imprisonment. Richards was arraigned Friday in Tuscola County District Court and is scheduled for a preliminary exam on Aug. 6 at 8:30 a.m.
Smith is charged with five counts of lying to a peace officer, which carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison. According to court records, the charges are in connection with Smith lying to multiple police officers about a knife containing human blood at her residence. She was arraigned Thursday and is scheduled for a preliminary exam on Aug. 6 at 8:30 a.m.
Both are lodged in the Tuscola County Jail, Richards on a $500,000 cash bond and Smith on a $25,000 cash bond.
The Cass City Police Department investigated the incident and received assistance from the Michigan State Police Department and Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information related to the matter is asked to contact lead investigator Kevin Jimkoski of the Cass City Police Department at 989-872-2911.
The Advertiser will follow up on this story as more information becomes available.
