For Immediate Release

Dec. 29, 2016

Felony charges have been filed against an Independence man for the stabbing near Van Horn High School, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.

Lorenzo A. Ruiz-Merlos , dob: 2/14/1987, faces 1st Degree Domestic Assault and Armed Criminal Action.*

According to court records, the victim stated that the Defendant contacted her in the apartment complex parking lot and sat in the front passenger seat of her car. The Defendant gave the victim his checkbook and told her to write herself out a check for $5,000 in reference to some damages that he caused to her property during a domestic violence incident earlier in the year. The victim stated that as she was writing on the check, the Defendant then questioned her on whether or not she had been having "sex" with the male subject she was dating.  The victim stated that without warning, the Defendant attempted to stab her in the neck with a kitchen knife. She stated that the Defendant then stated stabbing her in the chest, at which time, she fled the car and immediately called 911 for help.

This case remains under investigation.

Prosecutors requested a bond of $100,000 cash.

For more information, contact:

Michael Mansur

Director of Communication

Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office

Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor

Work   : (816) 881-3812

Mobile: (816) 674-3954

mmansur@jacksongov.org

http://jacksoncountyprosecutor.com

*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.