Stabbing suspect apprehended

By Chad Fell
Courtesy of the Northwest Alabamian
ASHRIDGE — A Guin man faces assault charges after stabbing an Ashridge man in the chest then fleeing the scene to Fayette County, where he was apprehended.
Jeffrey Allen Martin, 56, has been charged with first degree assault in the stabbing of a 31-year-old Ashridge man, according to Winston County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Josh Edwards, noting this is a Class B felony.
The victim, who suffered a single stab wound to the chest that reportedly punctured his lung, was transported from his residence in a private vehicle to Lakeland Community Hospital in Haleyville, where he was treated then transferred to UAB, authorities said.
As of press time, the victim was listed in stable condition, according to Edwards.
Around 4:45 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26, Haleyville Police Department dispatch contacted Winston County dispatch, stating the victim had been allegedly stabbed by Martin at the victim’s residence on County Road 55 in the Ashridge area, investigators said.
Based on this information, Winston County Sheriff Caleb Snoddy and Corporal Jason Bridges responded to Lakeland Hospital, where the victim was being treated, Edwards said.
A verbal and physical altercation between the victim and Martin that allegedly occurred outside the victim’s residence led to Martin allegedly using a pocket knife to stab the victim, according to Edwards.
After the stabbing, Martin reportedly fled the scene in a Dodge Caravan, according to witnesses at the scene.  Authorities believed Martin was possibly heading to his brother’s residence in Marion County, investigators said.  A bulletin was put out for law enforcement to be on the lookout for the Dodge Caravan, Edwards said.
Based on the bulletin, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office went to Martin’s brother’s residence, learning that Martin had been there, but had just left, according to investigators…