Attempted murder charge filed in stabbing incident

A Mountain Home man was arraigned Monday on attempted first-degree murder charges and held without bond after he allegedly stabbed his wife during an altercation outside the couple's home Saturday.

Perry Russell, 42, was arrested without incident after Mountain Home police responded at 7:45 p.m. Saturday to a call from a neighbor concerning the alleged incident at 250 War Eagle Dr.

According to authorities Russell and his wife were in the process of divorcing and he was moving out of the home at the time of the incident. His wife, whose first name was not released by police, had returned to the home from a shopping trip in Boise and was talking on a cell phone to her mother when Russell allegedly attacked her in the side yard of their home. Authorities did not say what triggered the alleged attack.

Although her wounds were described as superficial, Mrs. Russell was stabbed repeatedly with what police believe was a kitchen knife with a blade about three inches long.

A neighbor who heard her screaming rushed to her aid and pulled Russell away from his wife, police said. She then ran across the street to a neighbor's house, where police were summoned. Police declined to identify the heroic neighbor who intervened during the alleged attack.

Both Russell and his wife were initially taken to Elmore Medical Center. He also had suffered a stab wound that police believe may have been self-inflicted. After treatment both were released and Russell was taken to the Elmore County Jail where he was booked on attempted first-degree murder charges.

Authorities said there had been no previous calls concerning any domestic violence or disturbances at the Russell home prior to Saturday's incident. All police officers on shift at the time responded to the call, and several detectives were called in to investigate the incident.

Normally a quiet and upscale neighborhood, the alleged attack happened in the same block as the home invasion and attempted rape that occurred on April 6.

During Monday's arraignment Russell was assigned public defender Terry Ratliff. A preliminary hearing will be held May 25 at 3 p.m. before Magistrate Judge David Epis to determine if there is sufficient probable cause to bind Russell over to trial in district court.

The maximum penalty for attempted first-degree murder is 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.