FARMINGTON — A 22-year-old man accused of stabbing his 13-year-old cousin asked how his cousin was doing, the defense attorney said.
“He repeatedly asked before court and after court how the victim is doing, if (the victim) is going to be OK,” said Greg Skordas, who is representing Mitchell Dean Howe.
Howe, of West Bountiful, is charged with first-degree felony attempted murder. He appeared in 2nd District Court on Friday for his first hearing.
As he left the courtroom, Howe turned and waved to family and friends, who had filled two rows of seats in the gallery.
Another hearing is set for July 13.
Howe, who is being held in the Davis County Jail on no bail, did not ask “how long he’s going to be in jail,” Skordas said after the hearing. “He did not ask what’s going to happen to him or if he’s going to prison.
“His only concern was how the young boy was doing. He repeatedly asked how the victim was doing.”
Skordas and the prosecutor still do not have a reason why Howe stabbed the boy during the early morning hours on Wednesday.
“So far there is no prior history of problems between the two and no reports of any altercations between the two that night,” said Deputy Davis County Attorney Brandon Poll.
Police are still investigating the reasons why Howe stabbed the boy.
According to a court document, Howe used an 8-inch knife and stabbed the boy once.
Poll said after the hearing that the boy is doing well and is expected to recover.
The boy was visiting the Howe home to attend a family reunion, according to the probable cause affidavit.
After the boy was stabbed he woke up and yelled, “Did you bite me?” according to the probable cause affidavit.
Howe woke up his parents, who told him to stay in a bathroom until police arrived, according to the document.
The 13-year-old was taken to a Salt Lake Hospital, where he is being treated for his injury.
Police said they have not been called to the house before and Howe has had no previous problems with police.
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