Connellsville man charged in stabbing waives preliminary hearing
The case lodged against a Connellsville man accused of stabbing another man is headed to Fayette County Common Pleas Court.
Robert Edward Sparks, 38, waived felony charges of attempted homicide and aggravated assault, as well as misdemeanors of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person at his preliminary hearing on Thursday.
According to the criminal complaint, on July 31 around 11:15 p.m. police were called to a home in the 300 block of North Arch Street where they found Richard Mickey Jr. sitting in a chair with a stab wound on the left side of chest. The wound required Mickey to undergo emergency heart surgery at a Pittsburgh hospital, according to court paperwork.
Police said multiple witnesses were trying to stop the bleeding when officers arrived, and a pocket knife with blood on the blade was found lying in the grass near the home.
The complaint also stated witnesses told investigators that Mickey and Sparks had gotten into a fight outside before Mickey retreated inside, where Sparks is accused of stabbing him.
Sparks, who had been in the Fayette County jail since his arrest the night of the stabbing, was released on an unsecured bond at his preliminary hearing. His formal arraignment is scheduled at 9:30 a.m on Sept. 19.