Man arrested for allegedly chasing tenant with knife
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AMMON — A dispute over a couple overstaying their welcome in an Ammon home prompted a landlord to allegedly chase a tenant with a knife.
The couple says 54-year-old Mikal Martin grabbed a knife on Jan. 6 and chased the husband as his wife waited outside, according to court documents obtained by EastIdahoNews.com. Martin is charged with one felony count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The wife told deputies she and her husband arranged to stay in Martin’s home on Dec. 23. As part of living in the home, she agreed to clean the house. Two weeks later, Martin told the couple they needed to be out by 5 p.m., according to an affidavit of probable cause.
An argument ensued and the couple told police they began to pack up their belongings. The husband said Martin came into the room and told them they weren’t packing fast enough. Martin then allegedly chased the wife into yelling that he was going to kill her. The couple says Martin did not have the knife at that time, according to court documents.
The wife ran from the home barefoot while her husband searched the house for her shoes. It was then that Martin allegedly took the knife and chased the husband out the door.
Deputies told Martin the couple had established residency in the home and he did not have the right to kick them out that evening.
The couple says this wasn’t the first time Martin became physical with them. They told deputies Martin had thrown a can of soda at the husband while he was driving, according to court documents.
Martin is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Bonneville County on Friday at 1:30 p.m. before Magistrate Judge L. Mark Riddoch.