PORT TOWNSEND – An 18-year-old Port Townsend man was formally charged in Jefferson County Superior Court Tuesday with first-degree assault in connection with the stabbing of a 21-year-old man that occurred Friday in Port Townsend.
Kyle Joseph Hall told the court he had only defended himself.
“I don’t know why I’m here right now,” said Hall, in a bright-orange jumpsuit, speaking on a courtroom monitor broadcast from the Jefferson County jail in Port Hadlock where he had been held since Friday.
“Joseph Gaikowski came onto my property and threatened me. I only defended myself.”
Superior Court Judge Craddock Verser stopped Hall, saying he should speak with a lawyer before he continued.
The maximum sentence for first-degree assault is life in prison.
Gaikowski, 21, of Port Townsend was stabbed in the chest in the 1100 block of Rosecrans Street sometime between 8:30 p.m. and 8:50 p.m. Friday, and was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to court records.
According to Port Townsend Police Sgt. Joe Kaare, the knife missed all vital organs.
Gaikowski had been released from the hospital as of Tuesday.
