Man arrested on attempted murder charge

SANDPOINT — A Post Falls man was arrested Monday for entering his estranged wife’s home north of Priest River and stabbing her.

James Leverne Carlton is charged with attempted murder and use of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony.

Carlton, who is deaf, made an initial appearance in Bonner County Magistrate Court on Tuesday. Judge Lori Meulenberg, with the assistance of a sign language interpreter, advised Carlton of his rights and appointed a public defender to represent him.

Meulenberg set Carlton’s bail at $500,000 and entered an order forbidding him or his associates from being in contact with the victim, who survived the alleged attempt on her life.

Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall said the woman’s condition has been stabilized, although she could have died from blood loss without medical attention.

“She is doing well,” Marshall said after Tuesday’s court hearing.

Carlton, 60, is accused of driving to the woman’s home about 20 miles north of Priest River and attacking her with a knife late Monday night. She was stabbed in the chest and other parts of her body, according to charging papers

The criminal complaint alleges that Carlton acted with premeditation and malice aforethought.

Marshall said Carlton reportedly drove the woman to Priest River City Hall, but it was closed, prompting him to take her to a nearby home belonging to a West Pend Oreille Fire District official.

Marshall said the knife used in the attack has not been recovered, although the execution of a search warrant was pending at the time Carlton appeared in court.

Carlton was charged with felony domestic battery against the woman in August and Marshall said he was subsequently charged with violating a no-contact order imposed in that case.

Marshall advocated for a half-million dollars in bail given the seriousness of the new charges and the existence of the previous charges.

“Obviously, from our perspective this has been an escalating situation for the last six weeks,” Marshall told Meulenberg. “We believe that Mr. Carlton is a significant danger to (the alleged victim) and perhaps others.”

Court records indicate that the alleged victim filed for divorce last month.

A preliminary hearing on the attempted murder charge is pending. Carlton is scheduled to be arraigned on the felony domestic violence charge in 1st District Court on Oct. 7.

The maximum punishment for attempted murder is 15 years in prison. The weapons enhancement has the potential to add another 15 years to the sentence.