MONTEVIDEO - Unconditional bail was set at $750,000 Thursday for Michael Dean Grussing, 54, of Montevideo, who is charged with felony second-degree murder in the Tuesday stabbing death of Kevin Arthur Richardson, 44, of Montevideo.
Grussing is also charged with misdemeanor fleeing a peace officer.
Bail was set during a hearing Thursday before District Judge Thomas Van Hon.
Grussing remained in custody in the Chippewa County Jail as of Thursday afternoon.
A public defender will be appointed by the court.
Grussing’s initial appearance on the charges is scheduled at 1 p.m. Sept. 21.
The criminal complaint charging Grussing with second-degree murder states that Grussing caused the death of Richardson, but without premeditation.
Grussing was arrested shortly after the stabbing was reported at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday at 721 Sherman Ave. in Montevideo.
A caller to dispatch observed an individual come out of the property. According to the complaint, the caller said the individual was covered in blood, and another individual came out of the residence behind him, carrying a knife.
Police said Wednesday that Richardson and Grussing lived at the same address and were friends.
A Montevideo police officer found Grussing standing at the intersection of Sherman Avenue and North Seventh Street. As the officer approached, Grussing ran through the neighborhood, and he was found hiding underneath a bush, the complaint states. Grussing stood with his arms behind his back facing away from the officer, and the officer placed Grussing into handcuffs.
While Grussing was in custody, another officer arrived on the scene to assist and began to search for the knife.
The complaint states that Grussing said he would show officers where the knife was located. As they approached the residence, a significant amount of blood was observed on the front porch and blood was also seen on the floor between the wall and a couch. Officers found a black-handled fillet knife on the arm of the couch.
The complaint states that while inside the residence and while being transported to the Chippewa County Jail, Grussing made many utterances about what had taken place.
At the jail, Grussing was placed into the intoxilizer room where an officer gathered more information. During that time, the officer was informed by dispatch that Richardson has died. An officer read Grussing the Miranda warning of his rights, and the defendant asked to speak with an attorney.
The officer ended the interview. While Grussing was being booked, he asked if Richardson had died, and Grussing asked what he was being changed with. The officer told Grussing that the victim had died, and that Grussing was being charged with second-degree murder.
The complaint states that Grussing made multiple utterances during booking. He stated he wasn’t a murderer and also made the comment that he did it multiple times.
The complaint states that Richardson died at Chippewa County-Montevideo Hospital and that he suffered a very large wound across his neck that appeared to have been inflicted with a very sharp object.
RELATED STORIES:
UPDATED VIDEO: Montevideo man killed; friend in jail on pending murder charge
VIDEO UPDATE: Suspect in jail pending 2nd degree murder charges
