Attempted murder added to charges

What began as a consensual fight in an east-end parking lot last month rapidly escalated when one of the men pulled out a knife and stabbed the other multiple times in the neck and face, say Hamilton police.

Now the attack, shortly before 9 p.m. on May 30 outside the Bottoms Up Bar & Grill on Barton Street East, is considered attempted murder.

On Friday, police announced a 26-year-old man, in custody since the night of the stabbing, faces a new charge of attempted murder.

Detectives believe there was “intent” to take the victim’s life, said Det. Sgt. Peter Thom, of the major crime unit.

The criminal investigation unit initially had carriage of the case, but after a case conference where they went through the evidence, the major crime unit took control June 8.

The victim and accused knew each other “casually” and had been socializing in a rooming house above the 737 Barton St. E. bar since earlier that afternoon on the day of the stabbing, he said.

Police believe alcohol may have been a factor.

It’s not exactly clear what precipitated the fight in the parking lot, but it started out consensual, Thom said.

“Without warning the knife was produced,” and the victim was stabbed multiple times in the face and neck.

The victim was rushed to hospital with critical injuries. After emergency surgery, his condition improved. The 32-year-old victim has since been released from hospital and is living with a relative, Thom said. Police are not releasing his name.

The attack was witnessed by two people in the parking lot and was also captured on video surveillance, Thom said, adding the bar’s owner has been very co-operative.

Police knew that the knife had been dumped in a sewer and spent days sorting through sewage trying to find it, initially with police forensic investigators and then calling in the City of Hamilton public works staff, who recovered the knife from a catch basin.

On June 11, city staff retrieved the alleged weapon by “MacGyvering” a vacuum with chicken wire at the end, Thom said.

In the moments after the stabbing, police allege the suspect ran. A separate 911 call about a suspicious man led police to the Barton Street East and Milton Avenue area — less than a kilometre west of the stabbing scene — where the 26-year-old was arrested.

At the time of the stabbing, police allege he wore a black or dark blue T-shirt with buttons up the front, Thom said. However, at the time of his arrest he wore a red T-shirt.

Detectives believe he somehow changed his clothes before his arrest and ask that anyone in the area who had a red shirt go missing — perhaps from a clothes line — or who finds a black or dark blue shirt to call police.

Jesse Patey, 26, of no fixed address, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, two counts of failing to comply with probation, assault with a weapon and uttering threat to cause death or bodily harm.

He appeared briefly in Hamilton court by video on June 9, when the attempted murder charge was added to his other charges. He remains in custody.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Christian Mukendi of the criminal investigation branch at 905-546-2967.

To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.

Nicole O’Reilly is a Hamilton-based reporter covering crime and justice for The Spectator. Reach her via email: noreilly@thespec.com