Published: April 03, 2009 02:32 am      

Stabbing victim still hospitalized

GRANT TOWN — The victim in a Tuesday night stabbing has not yet been released from the hospital, a family member reports.

Duane Jabber Martin, 24, has been charged with malicious assault after allegedly stabbing Stevan Triplett Jr. shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday at an apartment on Main Street in Grant Town. Triplett was flown by helicopter to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown following the attack.

When a reporter from the Times West Virginian called a spokeswoman for West Virginia University Wednesday afternoon, he was told that Triplett had been released from the hospital. However, it was Stevan Triplett Sr. who was released from the hospital Wednesday, Triplett’s wife said. The father became ill while his son was being treated for a life-threatening wound, she said.

Stevan Triplett Jr. is now in stable condition, she reports.

Grant Town Police Chief Matt Biggie said Martin and Triplett were involved in an altercation, when Martin pulled a folding knife from his pocket. The knife’s blade was approximately 3 inches long, Biggie said, and the suspect then allegedly stabbed the victim one time in the left part of his chest. Triplett’s mother said the blade came within an inch of her son’s heart.

Martin was arrested at his parents’ residence on Paw Paw Street shortly after the incident Tuesday and was arraigned before Marion County Magistrate Cathy Reed Vanata. His bond was set at $50,000 cash or surety. As of press time on Thursday, Martin had not posted bond and was being housed in the North Central Regional Jail. If convicted, Martin could be sentenced to two to 10 years in a state penitentiary.

E-mail Misty Poe at mpoe@timeswv.com