Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a 19-year-old Pemberton Township resident has been indicted for trying to fatally stab a man at a Westampton hotel earlier this year.
A grand jury indicted Michael Warder, of Salvia Street, on one count of Attempted Murder (First Degree), Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Third Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Third Degree) and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Fourth Degree).
The indictment was returned October 29 and signed by Prosecutor Coffina.
An arraignment will be held soon in Superior Court. Warder remains lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly.
The investigation began August 7 after Westampton Township police officers were dispatched to a hotel in the 2000 block of Burlington-Mount Holly Road for a report of a stabbing.
Upon arrival, officers discovered an adult male bleeding heavily from multiple stab wounds to his torso and arms.
The victim was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital and underwent emergency surgery.
The investigation revealed the defendant became upset upon learning his ex-girlfriend might be in a new relationship.
He rode his bicycle to the hotel and confronted her and the victim outside of the building. She ran inside the hotel and was not harmed.
After assaulting the victim, Warder fled on his bicycle. He was apprehended three days later at his current girlfriend’s home in Marlton by the Burlington County Sheriff's Department Fugitive Unit.
The case was presented to the grand jury by Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Hutchinson, and will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Bob Van Gilst, supervisor of the BCPO Major Crimes Unit – Violent Crimes Section.
The investigation was conducted by the Westampton Township Police Department and the Prosecutor’s Office.
The lead investigators are WTPD Detective Sgt. Linda Chieffalo and BCPO Detective Kevin Sobotka.
An indictment is an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.