- Isaac Daniel Gary Smith, 21, charged with murder for stabbing mother's friend.
- Incident occurred in Tooele; victim died from injuries at a local hospital.
- Smith claims self-defense; alleges mental illness, doesn't take prescribed medication.
TOOELE — A 21-year-old Tooele man accused of fatally stabbing his mother's friend has been charged.
Isaac Daniel Gary Smith was charged on Tuesday in the 3rd District Court with murder, a first-degree felony. He's scheduled to make his initial appearance in court on June 17.
Sunday night, Smith called 911, claiming his mother's friend attacked him at a Tooele home and that he stabbed the 54-year-old man, according to a police booking affidavit.
"When asked what part of the body was stabbed, Mr. Smith responded, 'neck, face, head,'" the affidavit states.
The victim, whose name has not been released, died from his injuries at a local hospital.
According to a police officer, the victim had been at the house, which belongs to Smith's mother, earlier that day. The victim later called his mother after he left and asked if he could return to the home to get his wallet, which he forgot. The mother, who wasn't home, said yes, but then called her son.
"The mother added that she specifically told Mr. Smith not to cause any problems with the victim because the mother has been concerned about Mr. Smith's mental illness (currently unverified), which the mother reported has caused her to fear for her own safety due to past, unreported violent outbursts resulting in property damage," according to the affidavit.
Smith told police that the man arrived just before midnight.
"Mr. Smith indicated that he opened the door for the victim, recognized him, and allowed the victim into the residence. Mr. Smith stated the victim was acting 'shady,' as if he was looking for more than he should be. Although Mr. Smith indicated that Mr. Smith had not found anything at the point, Mr. Smith felt the victim was looking for more than he should be. Mr. Smith stated that he confronted the victim about acting shady once they were both in the same bedroom," police wrote in their affidavit.
Smith allegedly claimed the man then tried to offer him cigarettes with his right hand.
"Mr. Smith stated that, while being approached by the victim, the victim reached for Mr. Smith's right wrist with the victim's empty left hand, which Mr. Smith alleged caused him to panic and feel the need to defend himself by pulling a knife from his back right pocket and stabbing the victim," the affidavit states. "Mr. Smith stated that after he first stabbed the victim, the victim 'rushed' him, which Mr. Smith stated he perceived as an escalation by the victim, so Mr. Smith continued attempting to stab the victim multiple times in the head, neck, and stomach."
Smith allegedly claimed he has a mental illness, but he does not take his medication as prescribed, according to the affidavit.
