Authorities Search for Morrow Man Accused of Stabbing Wife

Clayton County Courthouse

Morrow, Ga. - According to reports out of Morrow, Clayton County police are searching for a man they have now named the most wanted fugitive in the area.

The fugitive has been accused of stabbing his wife in the chest and back. Fortunately, she was discovered still conscious and alert and is recovering in a local hospital.

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, there are a number of offenses that the man could be charged with once detained by police. However, I will focus today's post on the offense of aggravated assault.

Aggravated Assault in Georgia

In order to understand the law behind aggravated assault, it is important to first understand the law behind the criminal offense of assault in Georgia. Assault is defined in O.C.G.A. §16-5-20 as:

A person commits the offense of simple assault when he or she either (1) attempts to commit a violent injury to the person of another; or (2) commits an act which places another in reasonable apprehension of immediately receiving a violent injury.

Aggravated assault in Georgia is defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-5-21 as:

A person commits the offense of aggravated assault when he or she assaults:

• with intent to murder, to rape, or to rob;
• With a deadly weapon or with any object, device, or instrument which, when used offensively against a person, is likely to or actually does result in serious bodily injury;
• With any object, device, or instrument which, when used offensively against a person, is likely to or actually does result in strangulation; or
• A person or persons without legal justification by discharging a firearm from within a motor vehicle toward a person or persons.

Aggravated assault is classified as a felony in the state of Georgia. The penalty for an aggravated assault conviction is a prison term between one to twenty years.

Practice Note

Georgia Criminal Law is extensive and relatively complicated. If you or a loved one has been arrested, it is important for you to contact a Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney quickly. A member of our team can help you now.