Suspect charged with murder in Tucson hatchet attack

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 03:02 · Archive

A man charged in a fatal hatchet attack at a Tucson transit stop appeared in court on Tuesday as his case proceeds.

Daniel Michael Jr., 25, appeared in court on Tuesday, 20 October, facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of Jacob Couch, 32. Couch was attacked with a hatchet at a streetcar stop on the corner of 6th and Broadway in downtown Tucson on 5 April, and died several days later at Banner University Medical Center. His family said his heart gave out.

According to police, Couch and his wife Kristen were sitting on a bench when a man approached and yelled at them. Couch responded, at which point he was hit in the neck with what is believed to be a hatchet. The injury was severe: Couch's sister-in-law Erica Sims said the wound 'cut the artery in the back of his neck in half. It went so deep that it hit his skull.' Couch was placed on life support following the attack.

Michael was arrested at his home three days after the incident. He initially faced two counts of aggravated assault, but detectives amended those charges to first-degree murder following Couch's death. During Tuesday's hearing, the judge granted a defence motion for an examination of Michael's mental status at the time of the incident. His next court hearing, a status conference, is scheduled for 21 December.

How it is being reported

• Suspect in fatal Tucson hatchet attack appears in courtThe family of Jacob Couch said he died Thursday at a hospital in Tucson.Azfamily · 21 Oct, 02:31
• Suspect in fatal Tucson hatchet attack appears in courtThe family of Jacob Couch said he died Thursday at a hospital in Tucson.KOLD · 21 Oct, 02:31

In this story: Daniel Michael Jr. · Jacob Couch · Tucson · Erica Sims

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