Kasson Man Admits Guilt in Violent Knife Assault Case

Kasson, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Kasson man has admitted to a knife attack last year that resulted in a charge of first-degree attempted murder.

Dodge County court records show that 53-year-old Johnathan David Harris has entered a Norgaard plea to a charge of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. In exchange, prosecutors dropped the attempted murder charge, along with another felony assault charge and a misdemeanor count of domestic assault.

Intoxication Involved

A Norgaard plea means Harris admits guilt but does not remember his actions due to alcohol or drug intoxication.

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According to the criminal complaint, Kasson police responded last April to a report of a man trying to break into a residence and stab the occupants. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Harris outside the home.

Uncooperative With Police

The court document states that Harris refused officers' commands and began reaching into a vehicle while making comments that officers would have to kill him. The officers were able to take him to the ground and handcuff him before emergency medical personnel sedated him and transported him to St. Marys Hospital.

Argument Led to Knife Attacks

The criminal complaint says the incident began with an argument between Harris and a woman inside the home. She told police that Harris tried to stab her and held a knife to her stomach.

A man sleeping in the home told police he was awakened by the woman and was trying to gather her belongings when Harris began hitting him. According to the charges, Harris began stabbing at him, and during an ensuing struggle, the victim grabbed the blade of the knife with his hands and told investigators that Harris pushed the blade into his skin.

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Choking and Stabbing

The court document says Harris then got on top of the victim with the knife and began choking him while also trying to stab him in the neck before the victim managed to escape. Kasson police reported that the victim was transported to St. Marys Hospital for treatment of his wounds.

The criminal complaint indicates that investigators found blood throughout the home and recovered three knives.

Harris is scheduled to be sentenced in May.