Leader Staff
A Keshena man initially charged with attempted homicide after a stabbing incident last year pleaded no contest Friday to a misdemeanor charge of battery.
Justin T. Okimosh, 21, was accused of stabbing his cousin in the neck at a New Year’s Day gathering in Birnamwood.
Okimosh was sentenced after the plea hearing to time already served. He had been in Shawano County Jail for about nine months before posting a $25,000 bond late in September.
According to the criminal complaint, Justin and Brett L. Okimosh, 35, traveled by taxi from Shawano to the Birnamwood residence where they were celebrating with three other people.
At some point there was a fight involving the cousins and another man at the party, during which Justin Okimosh sustained a bloody nose and left, the complaint states.
A short time later there was a knock at the door and Brett Okimosh went to answer it. After opening the door, he backed away from it quickly holding his neck and saying he had just gotten knifed, witnesses later told Shawano County Sheriff’s Department deputies.
Authorities responding to a 9-1-1 call shortly before 6 a.m. found Brett Okimosh on a couch in the living room, his front covered with blood, and a woman who was at the party holding a towel to his neck. He was taken to Wausau Hospital and underwent surgery.
The knife allegedly used in the incident was never recovered.
Brett Okimosh was initially reluctant to tell authorities who had stabbed him, according to the complaint, saying the man was family and he did not want to get him in trouble. He also failed to appear as a witness for the state at Justin Okimosh’s preliminary hearing in January 2013.