Anderson bound over in stabbing:Admits to being ‘sick’ after attacking minister

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

ANDERSON

The man who stabbed a minister was bound to the grand jury Tuesday after police said the knife-wielding alleged drug addict admitted he was a sick man when they arrested him at the scene.

McMinnville Policeman Daniel Clayton testified during preliminary hearing Tuesday that David D. Anderson still had the bloody kitchen knife concealed in his pants when he took him into custody minutes after he allegedly attacked Michael Shaver, founder and director of Ray of Hope Street Ministry headquartered on Hobson Street. The ministry seeks to help those with problems, specializing in persons with chemical dependence issues.

The minister suffered numerous cuts to his neck, face and torso but has recovered and is again at the helm of the ministry which remained open without interruption following the attack.

Witnesses to the incident said Anderson pulled a knife from his clothing and attacked without warning, stabbing and slashing the preacher until the victim was finally able to fend him off.

Anderson, who had lived at the mission for a few days, had reportedly made a statement to the effect he wondered what it would be like to kill someone. His wondering aloud was acted upon less than 24 hours later when he allegedly assaulted the preacher shortly after Shaver got off the phone with his (Anderson’s) parents. Shaver informed Anderson he would likely be staying at the mission for a while since his parents would not be coming to pick him up.

According to Officer Clayton, who was the only person to testify at the preliminary hearing, the still-armed Anderson stayed at the scene following the crime and was standing only about 10 feet from the bleeding victim when he arrived. After Shaver pointed him out, Clayton said he asked Anderson if he was the attacker.

“He admitted to stabbing the victim,” Clayton recalled. “He said he was sick.”

The “sick” Clayton referred to was reportedly Anderson referring to his state of mind. While competence and sanity were not discussed during hearing Tuesday, it is believed the trial court will address the issue of Anderson’s mental fitness once the case goes before the circuit court following grand jury. He is charged with aggravated assault; however, prosecutors could opt to up the charges to attempted murder.