Dexter man charged in stabbing

DEXTER, Mo. -- A late-night stabbing incident has landed a Dexter man in jail on two felony charges, with a bond set at $75,000. William Lee Smith, 35, is accused of attempting to stab two people, Detective Lt. Trevor Pulley of the Dexter Police Department said in a news release.

At 8:11 p.m. Friday, Dexter police received a call from a person on Clements Street that an intoxicated Smith had come to the caller's residence. According to the caller, he told Smith he had to leave, which he did.

When members of the Dexter police, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Stoddard County Sheriff's Department responded to Smith's residence across the street from the caller's, they heard a woman screaming. Officers entered and found blood on hallway walls. According to Pulley, Smith was holding a large pocketknife in his right hand while one victim was attempting to keep him from stabbing the other victim.

A 20-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man were taken to Missouri Southern Healthcare. One of the victims has been released, and the other was still receiving medical treatment Saturday.

A Stoddard County warrant has been issued for Smith, who is being held on Class A felony charges for assault in the first degree and armed criminal action.

Pertinent addresses:

305 Cooper St., Dexter, MO