Suspect in Wednesday night stabbing held without bond on attempted murder charge

A Linton man with two criminal cases pending against him, one involving an assault, the other stalking and intimidating behavior, was arrested last night, less than a week after he posted bond and was released from jail. Now’s he’s accused of stabbing his girlfriend. Her injuries are said to be serious but not life threatening.

Derrick Harper. Mug shot from his arrest on November 4. As of early Thursday, a mug shot from today’s arrest was not yet available.

Derrick Christopher Harper, 33, Linton, was booked in to the Greene County Jail at 12:53 a.m. today, Thursday, November 29, by Det. Paul Clark of the Linton Police Department but Harper was taken into custody earlier in the night, on Wednesday, November 28.

Harper was arrested back on Sunday, November 4, and charged with:    

• Stalking – where defendant threatens sexual battery, serious bodily injury or death, a Level 5 felony,

• Intimidation – where the threat is to commit a forcible felony, a Level 6 felony,

• Intimidation – the threat is to certain types of people, a Level 6 felony,

• Criminal trespassing, a Class A misdemeanor,

• Resisting law enforcement – knowingly or intentionally forcibly resists, a Class A misdemeanor, and

• Criminal mischief, a Class B misdemeanor.

While he was in jail, a second case was filed against him and he was charged with:

• Battery resulting in bodily injury, a Class A misdemeanor.

Initial hearings in both cases were conducted on Tuesday, November 13.

Details about both incidents were reported on GreeneStreets at the time. Click the tag “Derrick Harper” below this story to find the previous stories.

In the first case involving stalking, Harper’s bond was set at $10,500 surety with ten percent cash allowed.

When he appeared in Greene Superior Court for the initial hearings, Greene County Public Defender Alan Baughman was appointed to represent Harper.

On Friday, November 16, Harper’s defense filed a motion to reduce the amount of his bond.

On Monday, November 19, Greene Superior Court Judge Dena Martin denied that motion and his bond was not reduced.

Then last Friday, November 23, Harper was released from the Greene County Jail after $1,050 cash was posted.

Less than a week later, he’s back in jail but this time he’s being held without bond.

Harper was booked in on preliminary charges of:

• Attempted murder, a Level 1 felony,

• Battery by means of a deadly weapon, a Level 5 felony,

• Possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony, and

• Public intoxication, a Class B misdemeanor.

These charges are ‘preliminary’ and are based on the recommendation of investigating and arresting officers. Charging decisions are made by the Greene County Prosecutor and the actual charges may change as a result of the ongoing investigation.

Additional details about this case will be posted after information is confirmed.