Athens Police Department officers recently searched a black Volkswagon Jetta - collecting a knife and box cutter, among other things - they believed contained evidence related to the stabbing occurring Halloween weekend.
Athens County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael Ward granted APD officer John Withers a search warrant on Nov. 4 to search the car.
Gregory Malta, 19, of Gibsonia, Pa. allegedly stabbed 20-year-old Ryan Renner of Creola and 20-year-old Jeremy Kaltenbach of Chillicothe as they tried to assist a woman who was being assaulted by a fourth man on Nov. 2. The incident occurred in the parking lot of Days Inn, 330 Columbus Road.
Nelsonville Police Department officers apprehended Malta shortly after the stabbings occurred. According to the search warrant application, Malta had what appeared to be blood on his clothing. The car is registered to Susan Malta, whose relationship to the suspect was not released. It is still being held at the Nelsonville department.
A woman who was a passenger in the car told police that the knife used in the stabbing was in the front passenger compartment. During the search, officers confiscated a women's shoe, a box cutter, a cardboard cutter, an Elishewitz lock blade knife, a map and a suspected blood swab taken from the driver's side door.
Malta was arrested and charged with two counts of felonious assault in connection with the incident. He was released on bond after a hearing at Athens County Municipal Court Nov. 3.
According to a Municipal Court worker, Malta's case has been dismissed from the court.
Athens County Prosecutor C. David Warren could not comment on whether Malta will have a grand jury hearing in the Court of Common Pleas.
APD Chief Richard Mayer said he could not comment on the investigation, but said both the victims are out of the hospital and doing well. It had earlier been reported that one of the victims might lose his leg after being stabbed in the femoral artery, but Mayer said the victim did not have his leg amputated.
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Lindsey Nelson
