Man Stabbed in Self-Defense After Allegedly Attacking Family Member of Estranged Spouse
A Mendocino County man is reportedly set to face multiple charges including domestic battery and criminal threats.
In a press release, the county Sheriff’s Office identified 41-year-old Jack Edward Lemay as the suspect in an incident on the night of January 31 in which he is accused of accosting his estranged spouse’s family, attacking one of them, and violating the terms of his probation. Lemay was reportedly stabbed in self-defense as a result.
Around 8 PM that night, deputies responded to a report of a stabbing on the 19000 block of South Harbor Drive in Fort Bragg. Deputies located Lemay on the ground, having suffered multiple stab wounds. A 22-year-old male at the scene, whose name has not been released, identified himself as the person who had stabbed Lemay and was detained without incident.
Lemay, meanwhile, was transported to an area hospital for treatment, and later airlifted to an out-of-county hospital for further treatment, the Sheriff’s Office said.
After collecting evidence and gathering witness statements, deputies learned that the 22-year-old male was a relative of Lemay’s estranged wife, and that he, along with other members of the family, had been caring for her after Lemay had allegedly assaulted her — an incident which had not been reported.
Lemay was already on felony probation for a prior domestic violence conviction, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Lemay had arrived at his estranged wife’s home only to be confronted by the 22-year-old male and other family members, who then escorted him away from the home. The group reportedly ended up in a nearby parking lot, where Lemay allegedly began assaulting the 22-year-old, who had been sitting in his vehicle with the window rolled down.
Lemay allegedly then pulled the man from the vehicle and, after a failed attempt to put distance between himself and Lemay, the man drew a knife and stabbed Lemay several times to stop the assault, the Sheriff’s Office said. The man was interviewed at the Sheriff’s Office Fort Bragg substation and later released.
Deputies have since forwarded the investigation report to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, and are reportedly seeking charges against Lemay of criminal threats, felony domestic violence battery, battery, and felony probation violation.
