Courts
La Crosse man gets $500,000 bond for downtown murder, claims self-defense in stabbing victim 15 times
A cash bond of $500,000 was set Wednesday for a La Crosse man accused of fatally stabbing another man Tuesday night.
Bryant Q. Smith was charged with 1st degree murder for an attack at the Stokke Tower on South 6th Street.
The 50-year-old Smith appeared before Judge Gloria Doyle by video from the jail. He claimed self-defense.
“I didn’t kill him, I protected myself,” Smith said, while appearing by video from the county jail. “He was trying to murder me in my own home.”
The prosecution said the victim was stabbed in the head and back 15 times. Police believe Smith had pretended to stab the same person before the actual attack.
Defense attorney Zachariah Fudge said Smith called 911 after the stabbing.
An autopsy on the victim will be performed Thursday. Smith is set to return to court Friday.