Idaho Falls man accused of holding large knife to other man’s throat
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IDAHO FALLS — A man awaiting sentencing on domestic violence-related charges is now accused of assaulting a man with a knife.
The Idaho Falls Police Department was called to a home Thursday, where Chad Wise, 51, of Idaho Falls, allegedly held a large Bowie knife to a man’s throat while threatening to kill him, according to an affidavit of probable cause obtained by EastIdahoNews.com. Wise is now charged with felony aggravated battery. If convicted, he could spend up to 15 years in prison.
A witness told police that when she saw Wise hold the knife up to the man’s throat, he pointed the knife at her and said it was her fault, according to court documents. The knife left a mark on the man’s shoulder after Wise allegedly poked the tip into him.
When police arrived, Wise had already left, but police found him driving nearby and pulled him over. Inside the car, police found him with the seven knives, including the Bowie knife linked to the attack.
Wise gave a differing account of events. He said he was inside the house sharpening the knives when the victim acted confrontational with him, according to court documents.
Wise said, “The knife might’ve been in my hand, it might not have,” an officer wrote in the probable cause. Wise said he did not hold the knife up to the victim, as the witness and victim said.
At the time of his arrest on Thursday, Wise was awaiting sentencing for felony domestic battery and misdemeanor unlawful entry. According to court records, Wise was facing a felony first-degree stalking charge reduced to the misdemeanor in addition to the dismissal of other charges in exchange for the guilty plea. As part of the plea agreement, in that case, a judge would have to sentence Wise to spend between four and six years in prison.
A preliminary hearing for Wise is scheduled for April 2. He remains held in the Bonneville County Jail on $20,000 bail.
Although Wise is accused of a crime, it does not necessarily mean he committed it. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.