Kasson man charged with 1st degree attempted murder

A Kasson man is charged with two counts of 1^st-degree attempted murder after he allegedly tried to enter a home and stab the residents, according to court documents.

Johnathan David Harris, 52, is being held at the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center, on $250,000 bail with conditions, or $500,000 bail without conditions. He made his first appearance in Dodge County District Court on Monday before Judge Debra A. Groehler.

According to documents filed with the court by the Kasson Police Department, Dodge County Law Enforcement was dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of 1^st Ave. NW, Kasson on April 11, after calls were received that Harris was trying to break into a home and stab the occupants.

Kasson police reported that when they arrived at the scene, they observed Harris “pacing frantically” near the residence and a female, was also observed outside. When Harris was observed walking towards the female in a “highly agitated manner” an officer stepped between Harris and the woman and instructed Harris to step back and place his hands against the wall. Harris refused to cooperate the complaint says and took a “fighting stance.” Harris then went to the passenger side of a vehicle and began reaching around the center console. An officer pulled Harris out of the vehicle. The Kasson officer and Dodge County County deputy subdued him.

The woman at the scene said she and Harris had been arguing inside the home when he “retrieved a knife” and tried to stab her. A second individual said he had tried to take the knife from Harris. His hands, the complaint said, were bleeding heavily after he tried to defend himself.

The court documents go on to say that the woman made it to a car but said Harris had forced his way inside and placed a knife against her stomach. The woman said she leapt from the driver’s seat of the vehicle to get away.

The court documents show that police recovered three knives from the car in the driveway, two of which were between the console and the seat.

Harris was charged with two counts of 1^st degree attempted murder, two counts of 2^nd degree assault with a dangerous weapon and one charge of domestic assault-subsequent violation. The attempted murder and assault charges are all felonies and the domestic assault charge is a gross misdemeanor.

His next court appearance is scheduled for April 28.