Canonsburg man accused of stabbing man with sword
A Canonsburg man was arrested Monday night for allegedly stabbing another man with a sword at his apartment during the second of two arguments between the men.
Daniel W. Buretz, 55, of 14 E. Water St., Apt. 2, is accused of stabbing John W. Bell, 47, of Maple Terrace, Washington, in the back as Bell reportedly tried to leave the apartment about 6 p.m. Monday.
Police initially were called to the apartment about 4:50 p.m. by Buretz, who reported Bell was going to assault him. When police arrived, Buretz told an officer that everything was fine and that the two had resolved their problem. Police said the two men, both described by the officer as highly intoxicated, were jovial and laughing.
Bell called police the second time after he allegedly was stabbed when he tried to leave following the second argument with Buretz. Police said they found Bell outside the apartment, bleeding from a 2-inch wound in the middle of his back. He was taken to Canonsburg Hospital for treatment.
Police knocked on Buretz’s door and said they could hear him stumbling around inside his apartment. After he opened the door, police said Buretz, who was still highly intoxicated, was unable to comprehend their commands to show his hands. When an officer displayed his Taser, Buretz reportedly put up his hands but fell face-first into a fan that was between the living room and kitchen.
Police said Buretz was slurring his speech and had difficulty understanding as officers explained what was taking place, and that he also almost fell to the ground when officers placed him in a cruiser.
Police said Buretz told them that Bell is nasty and that he “got tired of listening to his mouth.” The sword police believe was used to stab Bell was found n Buretz’s bedroom.
Buretz was arraigned Tuesday morning before District Judge Joshua Kanalis on charges of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, simple assault and harassment. He was placed in Washington County Jail on $50,000 bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Oct. 21 before District Judge David Mark.