MARIPOSA COUNTY – What initially appeared to be an accidentally self-inflected stab wound turned out to be self defense by a victim, says the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office.
On the afternoon of Mar. 11, sheriff’s deputies responded to a possible stabbing at a campground in the Merced River area. Upon arrival deputies contacted Bryan Absher of Modesto, Calif. Absher presented with a stab-like wound to his upper shoulder blade area.
Absher indicated he accidentally stabbed himself after slipping on loose rocks and falling on a knife he was carrying.
While investigating the scene, deputies contacted an adult female who identified herself as Absher’s girlfriend. During an interview, she admitted to stabbing Absher in self-defense while trying to get away from him.
She had reportedly been struck multiple times in the head, arms, face and body with a lit makeshift torch, made of a stick approximately 1 inch in diameter and 30 inches long. The alleged assault took place in front of the couple’s two minor children, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies photographed over 13 injuries to the victim’s body and one injury to her minor child.
Absher was transported to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries. He was then booked into the Mariposa County Jail on charges of Felony Domestic Violence, Assault With a Deadly Weapon (Not a Firearm), Child Abuse, Driving Under the Influence causing injury, and Driving on a Suspended License.
Absher’s bail was set at $150,000. The adult female victim and her two minor children were transported to an undisclosed location.
