Bond has been set at $100,000 for a 48-year-old Centralia man who faces six criminal charges following a Sunday morning stabbing at the Home Motel on West Noleman in Centralia.
Dewayne Whipple of the Home Motel was formally charged in Marion County Court on Monday with home invasion, aggravated battery, battery, aggravated assault, criminal trespass to a residence, and criminal damage to property in connection with the incident.
Centralia Police Chief Greg Dodson says 52-year-old David Mercer of the Home Motel was stabbed in the back of the neck. He was taken to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia for treatment of injuries and later checked himself out of the hospital.
Mercer had reportedly tried to intervene to get the knife away from Whipple after he had allegedly entered another resident’s room and came at him with the weapon. The battery charge involves a woman who was allegedly grabbed and pulled by the hair. A window of the motel was broken out at the motel during the altercation.
Police were called at 8:30 Sunday morning. The Centralia Fire Department and Life Star Ambulance also assisted at the scene.
During Monday’s Zoom court hearing, Whipple allegedly became upset and yelled at Judge Allan Lolie that he did not use drugs or alcohol after being told he would be prohibited from doing so as a condition of bond. Whipple later allegedly made an obscene gesture at the judge before being taken back to his cell.
The judge noted there was an issue if Whipple was fit to stand trial. Later in the day, Public Defender Craig Griffin filed a motion seeking a psychiatric evaluation be completed at no cost to Whipple. The court is expected to take up the motion on Tuesday.
