Stuart Lavern Wade made his first appearance Tuesday in Itasca County District Court in Grand Rapids where he was arraigned on one count of murder in the second degree.
Wade, 18, of Ball Club, was charged in the stabbing death of Marc Lyle Grauman, 37, also of Ball Club. If convicted, Wade could face up to 40 years in prison.
According to the criminal complaint, the Itasca County Sheriff's Office received a 911 at 1:46 a.m. on Sunday from a male, later identified as Wade, regarding a stabbing that occurred at a residence in Ball Club. Wade said he stabbed his mother's boyfriend - Grauman - in the face. Wade also told dispatch that Grauman beat him up prior to the stabbing, the report states.
When an officer arrived at the residence, he found Wade sitting in a stairwell. He then located Grauman, who was lying in a large pool of blood.
Grauman was transported to the Deer River Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:50 a.m.
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When officers arrested Wade at the residence, he had blood on his hands and clothes, as well as a swollen cheek and a cut on his lip, according to the complaint. Wade told an investigator that he and Grauman got into a verbal and physical altercation at their home. He said he tackled Grauman to the ground after Grauman beat him in the face with his fists, according to the complaint.
The complaint states Wade told the investigator that he found a knife on the floor and started "wailing" on Grauman with it. He said he called 911 when Grauman stopped moving.
Investigators at the residence located a kitchen-style knife near the victim's body.
Preliminary autopsy reports noted that Grauman had sustained 11 stab wounds to his face, chest and right clavicle.
Wade is currently being held in the Itasca County Jail on $100,000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for 10 a.m. on April 17.
