Man Accused Of Stabbing Himself, Ex-Wife's New Boyfriend With Machete, Scalpel
WOODLAND HILLS (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say a man stabbed himself with a machete and scalpel following an attack on his ex-wife and her new boyfriend in Woodland Hills Sunday.
The stabbings occurred over the course of three hours in the 4700 block of Nomad Drive, according to officials.
Police were called to the scene just after 1:30 p.m.
The new boyfriend is in critical but stable condition at the hospital, reported KCAL9's Cristy Fajardo.
The victim, now identified as music industry executive Jerry Sharell, is expected to recover. (Sharell has worked with Motley Crue and Joni Mitchell, among others.)
Neighbor and friend Harold Sulman said he saw the suspect drive up to Sharell's house on a motorcycle.
"He pulled out a bouquet of flowers," said Sulman.
Officials told Fajardo the aggressor held his ex-wife and her new boyfriend hostage for several hours and when he threatened to kill himself in front of them, the ex-wife slipped out and called for help.
"He asked the ex-wife to watch as he killed himself," said LAPD Sgt. Jeff Nuttal. "She is being treated for minor lacerations. It doesn't appear he assaulted her."
Neighbors told Fajardo that Sharell only recently started dating the woman. He lost his wife of 48 years to cancer a year-and-a-half ago.
Sharell friend and neighbor Mike Zarsky said, "He told me he met the woman at a church and that she was going through a situation. I was just glad he had someone in his life again."
Officials said the new relationship was a welcome one for the ex-wife as well. Authorities said she had a restraining order against her ex and their marriage had a history of domestic violence.
Police did not reveal the suspect's name but said he faces a myriad of charges. He is also in critical condition but expected to recover, according to authorities.
