A man who police say stabbed his stepfather while he was in bed has been arrested for investigation of murder. He had just been released from jail hours earlier.
SALT LAKE CITY — A man who police say stabbed his stepfather while he was in bed has been arrested for investigation of murder.
The attack occurred just hours after the stepson, Charles Anthony Petrie, 30, was released from jail after serving time related to a domestic violence conviction, according to Salt Lake County Jail records.
Just before 1 p.m. Saturday, Johnny Postlethwait, 54, was lying in bed in his home at 756 E. 1700 South when his stepson entered the room, according to a police report.
“A witness heard the victim screaming and ran into his bedroom to find out what was going on. Upon entering the bedroom, the witness observed (Petrie) on the victim’s bed with both of his hands on the knife pushing it down into the victim’s chest,” the report states.
Postlethwait told the witness, “He’s killing me” before the witness was able to wrestle Petrie off him, according to the report.
Postlethwait died at the scene. Petrie was arrested for investigation of murder.
Petrie was previously released from jail on Friday just before 9 p.m., according to jail records. The stabbing occurred less than 15 hours later.
In June, he was convicted of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony, for choking his brother’s girlfriend. As part of the conditions for his plea in abeyance, Petrie was ordered to receive treatment for substance abuse, anger management and receive a mental health evaluation, according to court records. On Jan. 12, a warrant was issued for his arrest for failing to appear in court. He was booked into jail on Jan. 16.
Petrie was also charged in Salt Lake County Justice Court on Jan. 17 with drug possession and interfering with an arrest. He was also convicted of disorderly conduct in June, and lewdness in August, according to court records.
