Sturgis man convicted in stabbing motivated by jealousy

A Sturgis man has been convicted of two assault charges in connection with the stabbing of another man. The prosecution argued at trial the stabbing was motivated by jealousy because the defendant and the victim were both romantically linked to the same woman.

Michael Johnson, of US12 in Sturgis, was convicted of assault with intent to do great bodily harm and felonious assault Wednesday afternoon.

During the trial it was revealed when emergency personnel arrived to the scene, the knife was lodged at the base of the victim's spine, according to the prosecutor's office.

A medical expert testified he had to use pliers to extract the knife from the victim's back.

The crime was allegedly motivated by jealousy because the defendant admitted to an acquaintance he was romantically involved with his stepdaughter.

Witnesses reported the stepdaughter recently had a child with the victim who was stabbed.

The prosecution said Johnson went to the victim's home and stabbed him.

Johnson has two other felony convictions, including Criminal Sexual Conduct in the second Degree and failing to register as a Sex Offender.

Johnson faces 20 years on the great bodily harm conviction and 8 years on the Felonious Assault (Assault with a Dangerous Weapon) conviction.  

The jury found Johnson not guilty of assault with intent to murder

Sentencing is set for April 5, 2019 at 8:30 a.m.