Fayette judge to determine if knife-slashing suspect’s charges will go to trial
A Fayette County judge will determine if charges against a Uniontown man should proceed to trial after hearing testimony from the alleged victim over being stabbed following a speeding complaint.
Nicholas Michael Sokol, 21, is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment for allegedly stabbing Kevin Lowry twice and slashing his throat with a knife following an incident on July 18. Police said the men were arguing over how fast Sokol was driving past the home of Lowry’s financee, Brandi Fike.
Fike testified Wednesday that she was with Lowry and her father outside their home when she saw Sokol and his girlfriend speeding along Connor Street, and later revving the engine and causing gravel to fly in the air, after they lodged a complaint about how fast Sokol was driving.
Fike, a neighbor to Sokol, testified she tried to talk to Sokol but was met with verbal aggression from Sokol and his girlfriend, Marissa Dawn Engle.
Lowry testified that he overheard screaming and profanities and approached to tell them to not talk to Fike in that manner.
During the argument, Lowry said, Sokol asked him if he wanted to be cut.
“I stopped and turned around, and we both approached each other,” Lowry said. “He kinda bear-hugged me and stabbed me.”
Fike testified that Sokol charged at Lowry and the two struggled. Fike and Lowry said they didn’t see a Sokol holding a knife, Fike adding that she didn’t know Lowry had been stabbed until she saw his bloody shirt.
“I didn’t realize he had a knife until I was bleeding,” Lowry testified.
Fike testified the left side of Lowry’s throat was slashed and that he sustained a stab wound under his armpit and on his back.
She said at one point, Lowry threw the knife to the ground behind her, and she picked it up and moved it before it could be used to stab someone again.
Lowry said police arrived on the scene and applied pressure to his wounds before ambulances arrived.
He was flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital where he was discharged after nearly seven hours.
Lowry testified the scars from the wounds still cause him discomfort and pain.
Sokol’s attorney, David Kaiser, asked Lowry if he pushed Sokol at any time during the incident or threatened him.
Lowry said he probably said something to Sokol after Sokol asked him if he wanted to be cut, but said he didn’t throw him or pin him to the ground.
State police Trooper Thomas Broadwater testified that a folding knife was recovered from the scene and appeared to have blood on it.
Kaiser’s motion also asked a judge to suppress any statements Sokol made to police after the alleged stabbing.
However, Assistant District Attorney Meghann Mikluscak said she spoke with police prior to the hearing and said Sokol had not made any statements to them.
Judge Joseph M. George Jr. said he would rule on the request to dismiss the charges at a later date.
Sokol remains free on $200,000 bond.