A Juneau man has been charged with attempted murder and assault after allegedly stabbing his girlfriend multiple times and punching her sister in the jaw.
Brent M. Sanders, 26, was arrested Tuesday after the alleged attack, which took place in a residence on Cinema Drive, about 1:35 a.m, police said. Officers arrived at the home to find a 37-year-old woman with at least five stab wounds and a knife stuck in her left temple, according to police.
In Juneau District Court Wednesday afternoon, Judge Thomas Nave found probable cause to hold Sanders on one count of attempted murder in the first degree (domestic violence), a Class A felony that carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, as well as one count of assault in the second degree, a Class B felony with a possible sentence of as much as 10 years.
Sanders was appointed a public defender and his next court date was set for Feb. 9.
Juneau District Attorney James Scott called Sanders a “profound threat” to the community, citing a significant criminal history that includes multiple convictions for fighting, assault and theft. Scott noted Sanders was convicted in 2015 of two felony counts of assault for which he is still on probation and parole.
Sanders repeatedly stabbed the woman in the upper back with a folding knife, Scott said in the courtroom, adding that the knife that was lodged in her head had to be removed at the hospital.
Charging someone with attempted murder is somewhat of a misnomer, Scott said, adding, “no one sets out to attempt to kill someone; it’s a failed murder.”
Scott asked the judge to set bail at $100,000 and Nave agreed. Sanders is being held in custody at Lemon Creek Correctional Center.
According to the criminal complaint filed by the District Attorney’s office, the stabbing victim told police that Sanders stabbed her in the head with the knife. She also had stab wounds to her left shoulder and left hand.
Several witnesses told police they saw Sanders attack the woman and initially thought he was punching her, until she yelled that she had been stabbed, charging documents reveal. They all saw the knife sticking out of her head and the blood from her numerous stab wounds, the complaint read.
The victim’s sister told police she tried to jump on Sanders to stop the attack and that he punched her with his fist, breaking her jaw, according to the complaint.
Sanders had fled the area before Juneau police officers arrived, and he was not initially found despite a search of the area.
About 5:25 a.m., residents on Cinema Drive reported Sanders was back at the apartment complex and he was subsequently taken into custody. According to the complaint, Sanders had cut marks on his hands and admitted to being heavily intoxicated.
Both women were taken to Bartlett Regional Hospital for treatment.
The stabbing victim was later flown to Anchorage. A spokesperson from Alaska Native Medical Center said that the woman was in “fair condition” as of Wednesday afternoon.
• Contact reporter Liz Kellar at 523-2246 or liz.kellar@juneauempire.com
