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IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) -- Six more people have been arrested in connection with the assault of an Idaho Falls man who was stabbed to death Christmas morning, meaning seven people total face charges in the case, the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office said.
Buck Garner, 20, was stabbed in the chest inside a home early Sunday, then walked outside and collapsed. He was taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Police arrested Joseph "Joey" Manuel Chavez, 19, of Idaho Falls, in another home later that day. He was being held at the Bonneville County Jail, where he faces a charge of second- degree murder.
Authorities declined to discuss a motive for the slaying, saying the investigation was ongoing. But a Bonneville County sheriff's spokesman said Chavez and six other Idaho Falls men went to the home "looking for a fight."
Two men and two women were at the home with Garner. Some received minor injuries but declined treatment, authorities told the Post Register (http://bit.ly/rOLTFV).
Five of the men who went with Chavez to the home - Adan Cisneros, Brent Pongyan, Josh Cortez, Derek Perez and Ryan Morgan - have been arrested and face charges of aggravated battery, Sheriff's Sgt. Nathan Bennion said.
A sixth man, Alexis Gonzalez, faces charges of felony harboring and misdemeanor obstructing law enforcement. Gonzalez was arrested at the same residence where Chavez was taken into custody.
None of the four who were at the home with Garner was charged with a crime, Bennion said. Their names were not released.
Chavez and the others were expected to appear in court Tuesday afternoon. Bonneville County Prosecutor Bruce Pickett said prosecutors may file charges that differ from the charges for which the men were arrested.
--- Information from: Post Register, http://www.postregister.com
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
