by Al Summers
News Editor
alsummers@timescourier.com
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A Gilmer County man remained in intensive care at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga at press time Tuesday, Aug. 23, after being stabbed in the early morning hours of Monday, Aug. 22.
According to information contained in a press release issued by Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson, William Johns, 45, was found in his front yard on Black Barrel Drive, bleeding from multiple stab wounds to his body.
Johns was located by Gilmer County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Joe Long, who had been dispatched at 12:19 a.m. to the residence regarding an altercation between Johns and two male subjects.
Upon examination of Johns and due to his injuries being life-threatening, Gilmer County paramedics requested a LifeForce helicopter to transport him to a trauma center. He underwent emergency surgery upon arrival at the medical facility.
While the crime scene was being secured by detectives, uniformed patrol officers located a Toyota sedan that had been in an accident on Old Flat Creek School Road of Hwy. 382. Two men matching the description of the perpetrators at the stabbing incident were spotted and taken into custody. Arrested were Robert Martin, 47, of Ellijay, and his brother Michael Martin, 45, of Cartersville.
Both of the Martins have been charged with aggravated assault and aggravated battery and are currently being held in the Gilmer County Detention Center.
According to witnesses and Gilmer County detectives Lane Bennett and Chris Clinton, the Martin brothers and Johns got into an argument that escalated to the point where Johns was stabbed multiple times.
Detectives Bennett and Clinton are continuing to investigate the case.
Nicholson had praise for the officers who quickly apprehended the suspects and took them into custody.