Chain-Saw Victims Expected To Live

NEW BLOOMFIELD, Mo. - Four men who were attacked by a chainsaw and knife are expected to live. Two are in critical but stable condition and two others have been released after receiving medical treatment. Officials said the men were working at the Mid-American Care Center, a job training program affiliated with the New Life Evangelistic Center in St. Louis, when resident Matthew Watkins attacked them.

One man was cut in the stomach with a chain saw, but stayed conscious and was able to call 911.

Another man was stabbed in the neck while broadcasting on the radio.

Watkins, 29, was charged with four counts of first-degree assault.

The Rev. Larry Rice, of the New Life Evangelistic Center, said he had been told Watkins had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and allegedly used racial slurs during the attack and wrote "KKK" on several cars.

Two of the victims were black; two were white. New Bloomfield is 120 miles west of St. Louis.

Follow @@joeharris_stl

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit