The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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September 16, 2008

Stabbed Enid man in critical condition

By Cass Rains, staff writer

A 41-year-old Enid man is in critical condition at an Enid hospital after apparently being stabbed several times by his estranged wife Monday night at a local bar, police said.

Johney Grant Atherton was stabbed about 10 p.m. at Red Barn, 909 W. Oak, according to police.

His estranged wife, Melissa Annette Atherton, 39, of Pond Creek, was arrested without incident on a felony complaint of assault with a deadly weapon.

When officers arrived at the bar Monday night, they found Atherton bleeding from several stab wounds and unresponsive, said Enid Police Department Capt. Dean Grassino. Before losing consciousness, Atherton told witnesses his estranged wife stabbed him, Grassino said.

Atherton was taken by Life EMS to Integris Bass Baptist Health Center, where he underwent emergency surgery Monday night for his injuries.

“Currently, he is stable but critical,” Grassino said Tuesday.

Officers processed the crime scene and interviewed witnesses, locating evidence indicating Melissa Atherton was the suspect they wanted.

Detectives secured an arrest affidavit with $100,000 bond for her arrest. EPD detectives and officers went to Pond Creek and, with the assistance from Grant County Sheriff’s Office and Pond Creek Police Department, secured a search warrant for Melissa Atherton’s residence and vehicle.

Evidence located as a result of the search of the residence and her vehicle linked Melissa Atherton to the assault on Johney Atherton, Grassino said.

Also located during the search was a substance believed to be illegal narcotics, as well as drug paraphernalia, he said.

Detectives still are processing evidence and conducting interviews.

“A motive for the stabbing has not been confirmed yet,” Grassino said. “It is believed that Melissa Atherton recently filed for divorce, however detectives have not confirmed that this contributed or is related to the assault.”

According to the Oklahoma State Court Network, Melissa Atherton pleaded guilty to six alcohol-related misdemeanor charges last year. Johney Atherton has been charged with four felony alcohol-related charges, and pleaded guilty to three of them, since 1999. He had a misdemeanor conviction for actual physical control of a vehicle while intoxicated in 1990, online records show.

No charges were filed Tuesday against Melissa Atherton.

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