The man accused of cutting his pregnant girlfriend with a knife, then repeatedly stabbing the man who came to her rescue during a January incident downtown pleaded innocent in Ohio County Circuit Court on Thursday.
Jonathan Welch, 24, of Wheeling answered five charges of malicious wounding during docket day proceedings before Circuit Judge Arthur Recht. Welch allegedly was engaged in an altercation with his girlfriend on Market Street between 14th and 16th streets on Jan 7. He allegedly grabbed the woman's hair and held a knife to her throat while threatening to stab her. Police reported Welch cut her along the right side of her face, causing a 2- to 3-inch laceration.
When Bill Spencer III exited his vehicle and offered the woman a ride to remove her from the situation, Welch allegedly turned the knife on him and stabbed Spencer several times.
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Jonathan Welch pleads innocent to five counts of malicious wounding during docket day proceedings in Ohio County Circuit Court on Thursday.
The two men engaged in a physical struggle before Spencer subdued Welch and police arrived at the scene. Spencer reportedly suffered multiple stab wounds to the back of his head and torso and had to undergo hours of surgery at a local hospital.
The female victim was treated at the scene.
Spencer was present in the courtroom Thursday as Recht scheduled Welch's trial for Aug. 22. Welch remained lodged in the Northern Regional Jail on Thursday in lieu of $100,000 bond.
Recht and Circuit Judge James Mazzone also accepted innocent pleas from and set trial dates for the following individuals:
