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SALT LAKE CITY — A man who had a minor stab wound checked into court before he sought help, officials said Friday.
Authorities say the 29-year-old man, who was not identified by police, did not notice the wound at first and did not want to miss his court date, so he proceeded through the courthouse as normal.
The incident occurred about 9:30 a.m. at the courthouse, 450 S. State in Salt Lake City. The man apparently parked in the parking lot near 500 S. Main Street, according to Doug Fenton, public information officer for the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office.
However, the man was approached by two people and stabbed as he was walking from his car to the courthouse, Fenton said.
The man thought he had been punched or kicked and did not notice, at first, that he had been stabbed, Fenton said. The man went through security normally and did not tell any courthouse personnel he was injured.
He then went to the third floor of the courthouse, where he was due in court, Fenton said. The man did not want to have a warrant issued for his arrest due to missing a court date, according to Fenton.
At some point when he got to the courtroom, the man either noticed some blood, or more discomfort, Fenton explained. The man then got the attention of the bailiff, who called for medical attention, Fenton said.
The man was then helped down to an ambulance that was waiting outside. He had a superficial stab wound and was transported to a hospital in fair condition, according to Salt Lake police.
Fenton added that courthouse personnel would potentially have been able to help the man reschedule his court date if he had told someone at the courthouse about his injury.
Contributing: John Wilson, KSL TV
