The 24-year-old man arrested Monday for allegedly stabbing an 18-year-old Brainerd man in the back with a knife was arraigned Wednesday in Crow Wing District Court on a misdemeanor fifth-degree assault charge.
Jeffrey Jordan Lauer, formerly of Lake Shore, whose current address is unknown, pleaded not guilty in front of Judge Earl E. Maus. Maus set unconditional bail at $6,000 or Lauer could be released without bond or bail by following certain conditions. Conditions include that Lauer remain law abiding, have good behavior, make all court appearances, not use or possess any alcohol, drugs or intoxicants and have no contact with victim. Lauer has been released from Crow Wing County Jail.
Maus set Lauer's next court hearing, a pre-trial March 3, 2015.
The Brainerd Police Department were dispatched to the 600 block of Front Street at about 2 p.m. to investigate a report from an 18-year-old Brainerd man saying he was stabbed in the back. Responding officers learned from the victim that an altercation had occurred in one of the downtown apartments.
According to court documents, the victim told officers that he had been asked to remove Lauer from an apartment. When he tried to remove him, Lauer refused. Lauer then punched the victim and the victim punched him back. Lauer then removed a knife from his pocket and stabbed the victim twice, the court document said.
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The victim showed police two apparent stab wounds to his middle back area and told police he believed the suspect had a knife. The victim refused medical treatment for the injuries which appeared to be small puncture type wounds. The victim also reported the suspect had fled the area after the assault occurred.
Brainerd police learned Lauer had returned to the same apartment on Front Street. According to the probable cause court document, Lauer had locked the door from the inside forcing officers to forcibly gain access. Lauer admitted to officers to being in an altercation, but said he did not stab the victim.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jennewsgirl .
