Suspect in stabbing released on bail

BANGOR – A woman charged with stabbing her husband in the back with a 12-inch butcher knife was released Friday from Penobscot County Jail on $750 cash bail.

Kristina McLaughlin, 34, was arrested outside the victim’s hospital room early Thursday and charged with Class A elevated aggravated assault. If convicted, she could be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison.

Bail was set at $7,500 in property or $750 cash when she appeared in 3rd District Court on Thursday.

Bail conditions include no contact with her 26-year-old husband and no use or possession of intoxicants.

A probable cause hearing was scheduled for March 11 in 3rd District Court, unless she is indicted by a Penobscot County grand jury before then.

The victim was in fair condition Friday at Eastern Maine Medical Center.

The trauma surgeon treating him told police the knife had penetrated the chest cavity and caused a collapsed lung.

According to the police report, the doctor also saw bruising and a scratch under the victim’s right eye, and bruising on his neck.

According to court documents, McLaughlin called 911 about 2 a.m. Thursday, asking for an ambulance at her apartment at 68 Jefferson St. She told police her husband had fallen on a knife after cutting up some green peppers in the kitchen.

Police, however, reported finding “a significant amount of blood in and around the apartment,” but not in the kitchen.

Officers seized a 12-inch butcher knife with “blood spatters up the entire blade” as evidence, and McLaughlin’s clothing appeared to be spattered with blood, according to Detective Catherine Rumsey’s report.

A neighbor told police he had heard the couple arguing shortly before the ambulance arrived.

Both McLaughlin and the victim appeared to be “extremely intoxicated,” according to the police report.

Police also reported there were four active warrants for the arrest of the victim.