A Laurel man accused in a beating and stabbing in August outside the Laurel TraveLodge has been indicted on attempted murder charges.
Terry Hunter, 31, was indicted Friday by an Anne Arundel County grand jury on first- and second-degree attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment and weapons charges.
If convicted of attempted first-degree murder, Hunter could face life in prison.
According to charging documents, Anne Arundel County Police were called to the TraveLodge on Laurel Fort Meade Road on the afternoon of Aug. 19 for a report of an assault involving a pole and a knife.
Police said Hunter and a 33-year-old man were fighting in front of the hotel and, when officers arrived, the 33-year-old let go of Hunter and collapsed to the ground.
Police said Hunter dropped a knife and also collapsed to the ground.
According to charging documents, the 33-year-old’s shirt was “drenched in blood” and Hunter’s shirt had blood on it near his lower back.
After administering aid to both men, officers discovered that Hunter had minor injuries to his ribs and forehead and the other man had injuries consistent with a stab wound to his upper abdomen.
Both men were taken to the hospital for treatment, according to charging documents. When Hunter was discharged from the hospital, he was arrested, according to police.
Police believe Hunter was the “primary aggressor” in the fight. According to Maryland court records, the other man is not facing charges for his involvement.
Police said Hunter told investigators that before the fight broke out, he had left his room at the TraveLodge and was walking toward a gas station when he recognized the 33-year-old. He said the man, who had been “pursuing” him for the past couple of days, approached him.
According to charging documents, a witness told officers they saw Hunter approach the 33-year-old first; the witness said the two got into a verbal argument and then Hunter left and returned with a pole, hitting the other man.
The witness also told police they heard the 33-year-old tell Hunter he had stabbed him. Another witness said they saw Hunter swinging a knife, according to charging documents.
The victim’s mother, who was also there, said she saw an “unknown” man exchange words with her son before returning and confronting him with a pole and knife, police said.
According to charging documents, when investigators asked Hunter about the pole, he told them he took it from his belongings and used it to crack the 33-year-old in the face. Hunter also told police he took the knife from his room and pulled it out after the other man grabbed him.
Hunter is being held at the Jennifer Road Detention Center without bail. He did not have an attorney listed in Maryland court records Monday.
He has an initial court appearance scheduled for Sept. 22 in the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court.
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