Man stabs victim in face, charged with attempted murder; attacker free on bond for another knife attack 20 months ago

UPDATE 10:25 pm, Thursday, May 12. After this story was published, Union County Sheriff Jimmy Edwards informed NEMiss.News of still another knife attack by the same perpetrator. See the seventh paragraph below. 

A New Albany man has been charged with attempted murder for stabbing another man in the face with a knife.

The incident occurred about 9 p.m. Friday, May 6, at the residence at 505 Cherry Blvd. in New Albany. New Albany Police Department (NAPD) officers responded to the incident.

Donyelle Riddle, age 39, is alleged to have stabbed the victim in the face Friday evening and then fled the scene. NAPD Officer Mark Cossitt investigated the crime. It was also Cossitt who spotted Riddle the next day at a local business. Cossitt called for back-up and the arrest was made.

NAPD Chief Chris Robertson told NEMiss.News that Riddle was already free on bond for another aggravated assault charge. The judge revoked the prior bond and did not set bond for the Saturday knife attack.

Hence, Riddle is being held without bond on the attempted murder charge and the prior aggravated assault charge at the Union County jail.

The injuries to the victim in last week’s knife attack were considered very serious, involving damage to the bones in his face. The victim was taken by ambulance to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County. He was treated at Baptist, then transported to Regional One Health Hospital (The MED) in Memphis for further treatment. The victim is expected to survive, but could have permanent damage.

Union County Sheriff Jimmy Edwards informed NEMiss.News Thursday evening, May 12, that his office had another warrant for Riddle’s arrest. That warrant was for an alleged knife attack on a woman outside the New Albany city limits in Union County. That attack took place about ten days before the May 6 stabbing on Cherry Blvd. The sheriff said his officers had not yet found Riddle when he was arrested by the NAPD. Thus, he is likely to be charged for that stabbing as well.

The same Donyelle Riddle was charged with aggravated assault in an October 1, 2020, case for attacking a woman with a knife on North St. in New Albany. Thus, for nearly 20 months, Riddle has been free on bond from the earlier assault. He has neither come to trial, nor has his case been otherwise disposed of by the District Attorney’s office. In the meantime he has apparently attacked at least two other individuals with a knife since October, 2020.

For the NEMiss.News story about the October, 2020, knife attack: https://newalbanyunionco.com/riddle-charged-with-assault/