$100,000 bail for defendant in stabbing case

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By Joe Beck --
jbeck@nvdaily.com

FRONT ROYAL -- The defendant in an early Friday morning stabbing case returned to jail Tuesday after Circuit Judge Dennis L. Hupp imposed a secure bond of $100,00 as bail.

Joshua Christopher Profitt, 29, of Manassas faces a charge of aggravated malicious wounding from an incident that left the victim with about 30 cuts and stab wounds, according to investigators with the Sheriff's Office. A preliminary hearing is set for May 30.

In an interview after the hearing, Commonwealth's Attorney Brian Madden said the victim, Christopher Stephens, 22, of 3163 Freezeland Road, Linden remained in Winchester Medical Center Tuesday.

The criminal complaint against Profitt states that the emergency room staff at Winchester Medical Center treated Stephens for a severe cut to the face, multiple stab wounds to the torso, one in the abdomen and possible organ damage. The complaint adds that Stephens was about to have surgery for his injuries at the time Sheriff's Office investigators saw him.

Madden said Stephens may require additional surgery.

Tuesday's bail hearing was the second in two days for Profitt. On Monday afternoon, he appeared in Warren County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court where Judge William W. Sharp set bail for him at $25,000 secured bond. Madden objected to the ruling and appealed the bail to Hupp in Circuit Court Tuesday.

Madden said the initial hearing was in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court because there was no judge scheduled to be in Warren County General District Court, which is where the case would normally have been heard.

Madden said he had asked that Profitt be held without bail at both hearings.

Profitt's bail requirements include restrictions that he stay out of Warren County except for legal or court appointments, that he remain in the state, have no contact with Stephens and live with his mother.

Court documents list him as a 10-year resident of Prince William County.

Madden said Profitt and Stephens knew each other as former roommates before their encounter Friday. He gave no further information on motives for the stabbing.

The criminal complaint filed by Sgt. Gordon T. Foster of the Warren County Sheriff's Office states that sheriff's deputies answered a report early Friday morning of a stabbing at Stephens home at 3163 Freezeland Road.

The complaint states that deputies found Stephens inside the home with multiple stab wounds, and Stephens identified Profitt as his assailant.

Nancie G. Kie, Profitt's attorney, refused to comment on the case.