AUBURN — A local man was charged Tuesday with attempted murder of his then-girlfriend, stemming from a July attack with a kitchen knife at their home.
An Androscoggin County grand jury indicted Eric Griffey, 44, of 27 Clover Lane on two charges of attempted murder, two charges of elevated aggravated assault, a charge of domestic violence criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and domestic violence assault.
Each of the first four felony charges is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Griffey is being held at the Androscoggin County Jail in lieu of $250,000 cash bail.
According to the indictment, Griffey yelled, “I’m going to kill you, b****!” before stabbing Kellie Cardona repeatedly.
At an August bail hearing, Griffey’s family testified in 8th District Court in Lewiston that the incident was a rare occurrence and his bail should be lowered in order for him to be able to leave jail and stay with his brother, who lives on East Avenue in Lewiston.
That brother, Peter Griffey, told a judge that Eric Griffey must have suffered a psychotic break at the time of the July attack. Peter Griffey said his brother’s actions were “unprecedented.”
He said his brother had been “very close” to their parents and had difficulty adjusting to their deaths in recent years.
Eric Griffey’s attorney, James Howaniec, had argued that his client had no criminal history, nor violent tendencies.
But prosecutors reminded the judge of Griffey’s “sustained period of rage” that day when, according to police, Griffey attacked his girlfriend in their home and chased her outside, continuing to assault her.
Neighbors pulled Griffey off Cardona and disarmed him, according to a police report.
A psychological evaluation of Griffey was ordered by the judge.
cwilliams@sunjournal.com
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