HAMLET — An argument between two family members turned violent Monday night, leaving of them stabbed — and charged.
Investigators with the Hamlet Police Department say 23-year-old Southern Randolph Mills started a verbal altercation with 29-year-old Daniel Joseph Morris on June 24.
According to an arrest warrant, Mills punched Morris in the head, knocked him over in a chair — which caused his glasses to fall off — and continued to hit him in the face multiple times.
Investigators say Morris reached out during the attack, grabbed a pocketknife and stabbed Mills.
Mills is also accused of threatening to kill Morris, according to a warrant.
Police say the magistrate found that Morris acted in self-defense and he was not charged.
Mills, however, was charged with one misdemeanor count each of assault and battery and communicating threats. Investigators say he was released on a $7,500 unsecured bond.
The warrant does not list his court date, nor does the N.C. Court System website.
Online court records do show that Mills has pending traffic infractions of driving without a license and failure to wear a seat belt in Montgomery County and failing to stop at a stop sign or flashing red light in Richmond County.
Records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction show Mills has no prior convictions in the state.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
