Man Accused of Stabbing Stepfather in Onalaska on Friday
Jun. 26—Bail has been set at $50,000 for a man accused of stabbing his stepfather in the abdomen during an argument at an Onalaska residence on Friday.
The suspect, Robert H. Distefano, 32, of Heber City, Utah, was reportedly having a mental health crisis when his mother first called 911 on June 23, according to court documents. At the time that call first went out, Distefano had reportedly left his mother's Onalaska residence with a knife. His mother and her husband advised law enforcement they "were scared that Distefano may do something if he came back and they were going to secure the residence," according to court documents.
A deputy searched the area and was reportedly unable to locate Distefano.
Later that same day, however, Distefano's mother called 911 a second time to report Disefano had stabbed her husband in the abdomen, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday.
Distefano had allegedly returned to his mother's residence, entered through a sliding glass door and began arguing with his mother, at which point his stepfather stepped in. The fight escalated into a physical altercation, with Distefano allegedly pulling out a knife that was on his person and stabbing his stepfather in the left side of his abdomen.
The victim reportedly "retreated to his bedroom and armed himself with a firearm," later telling law enforcement he "was fearful that Distefano was trying to kill him," according to court documents.
Medical personnel treated the victim's injuries at the scene.
Deputies ultimately located Distefano in the roadway near the Onalaska residence and placed him under arrest. When questioned, Distefano reportedly said he got into "a fistfight" with his stepfather "but denied stabbing anyone."
When deputies attempted to move Distefano from one vehicle into another , Distefano allegedly grabbed a deputy's arm, scratched it, and twisted the deputy's fingers.
"The other deputies had to push Distefano against the patrol vehicle to gain control of him," according to court documents.
He was booked into the Lewis County Jail just after midnight on June 24 and has since been charged with one count each of domestic violence second-degree assault and third degree assault.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller said during Distefano's preliminary hearing on Monday that Distefano insisted he was acting in self defense.
"That is an issue that will be looked at down the road," Judge James Lawler said in response.
Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, June 29.
