Alec Schaffer
aschaff3@uwyo.edu
A University of Wyoming student pleaded not guilty to the offense of aggravated assault-bodily injury with a deadly weapon at his arraignment Monday morning. A felony charge punishable to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Meshari Aldhafeeri, 32, is accused of stabbing a UW student Feb. 26 in the parking lot of Turtle Rock Cafe on 9th and Clark Street, according to the Laramie Police Department affidavit of probable cause.
Police entered the premise the night of the stabbing after a report of assault and possible stab wounds. Aldhafeeri was arrested later that night on the 200 block of north 8th Street.
Aldhafeeri had injuries, but no stab wounds. He initially attributed these injuries to falling down some stairs. Later, Aldhafeeri admitted to having been in a fight.
According to the affidavit, Aldhafeeri also admitted to retrieving the knife used in the stabbing from his car before he approached the victim.
The victim had stab wounds on his left shoulder and under his armpit. Laramie law enforcement later recovered a steak knife thought to be used in the stabbing, according to the affidavit.
“Both portions were recovered and the blade portion contained fluffy material on it that seemed to match the victim’s coat,” Jason Bellman, arresting Laramie Police Department officer, said in the affidavit.
Both the victim and the defendant were hospitalized for their injuries sustained in the fight.
The victim reported to having had fought back after being stabbed.
The jury trial date for Aldhafeeri is set for Aug. 15-16.
