Katherine Darlene Russell, 43, of Steelville, has been charged with class A felony assault in the first degree, a charge that holds a possible sentence of 10 years to life in prison.  Russell faces the charge after allegedly stabbing Donald Allen in the chest with a pocket knife on December 31.

The probable cause statement on file in the case states that the Crawford County Sheriff's Department responded to the call that came in just after noon.  When the deputy arrived on the scene, he knocked on the door to the residence but didn't get a response until he opened the unlocked front door and announced his presence.  At that time, Allen yelled, "Help Me."

The deputy found Allen in the floor of the kitchen covered in blood.  Allen reported that Russell had stapped him and was in the back bedroom.  The deputy handcuffed Russell and secured her in the back of his patrol car so that he could take care of Allen until EMS arrived.

Allen told the deputy that Russell had come into the kitchen, said, "I'm mad at you," stabbbed him, then dropped the knife and ran to the bedroom.  Allen then called 911.

Allen's stab wound was approximately two inches in length and about six inched below his shoulder.  He was taken by air ambulance to St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis due to the severity of his condition

Russell is incarcerated at the Crawford County Jail.  Her bond is set at  $75,000.00 cash only.