A woman stabbed another woman in the arm with a sharp object inside a Duluth apartment, then took the victim’s phone to prevent her from calling 911, according to court documents.
Paris Sharlize Machen, 22, of Duluth, faces charges of 2nd-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and interfering with an emergency call. The charges were filed Tuesday, July 21, in Saint Louis County District Court.
According to the complaint, Duluth police responded to the Midtown Manor apartment building on July 17 after receiving reports of a stabbing. Officers spoke with the victim, who said she had been drinking alcohol under a bridge with friends before going to Eric Clinton’s apartment to use the bathroom. Clinton and Machen were both present in the apartment.
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The victim told officers that after she used the bathroom, she asked what they were doing next. Machen became upset and accused the victim of trying to “f***” Clinton. The victim reported that Clinton tried to hold Machen back, but Machen managed to stab her in the right upper arm with what the victim believed might have been a screwdriver. Officers observed that the victim’s arm was actively bleeding and noted two puncture wounds, one of which was larger and bleeding.
As the victim tried to leave the apartment and said she would call 911, Machen took her phone and refused to return it. The victim left and used another phone to call for help. She was transported to the hospital for treatment of her injuries.
Officers later searched Clinton’s apartment with his consent. Clinton told officers he witnessed the stabbing and demonstrated the motion Machen made with her hands. He said Machen used a long-handled grilling fork. However, Clinton gave a different account to another officer, stating he did not see the argument and arrived after the victim was already injured. Officers found a long-handled grilling fork with two sharp prongs in the apartment, and the prongs appeared to have blood on them.
Investigators identified Machen using surveillance footage from the apartment building. Officers located Machen in Clinton’s apartment the next day, July 18 and placed her under arrest.
A court date has not yet been set.
About This Charge
Minnesota classifies assault by degree under § 609.221 (first), § 609.222 (second), § 609.223 (third), § 609.2231 (fourth) and § 609.224 (fifth). First-degree assault, alleging great bodily harm, carries up to 20 years in prison. The lower degrees range from gross-misdemeanor up to 10-year felony exposure depending on weapon use and harm.
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Jurisdictional Context
Saint Louis County is Minnesota’s largest county by area, stretching from Duluth to the Canadian border. The Saint Louis County Attorney’s Office prosecutes felonies through the Sixth Judicial District; cases are heard at the Saint Louis County Courthouse in Duluth and the Virginia courthouse for cases north of the iron range.
