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Homicide victim had two fatal stab wounds

Witness says she heard a ‘ruckus,’ then a ‘painful cry,’ according to affidavit

The victim in a Madera homicide suffered two fatal stab wounds — one to the left side of his neck and the other to his back — an autopsy showed, according to court documents.

Joshua Sahm, 30, of Blandburg, died March 20 while being transported to UPMC Altoona after being wounded at a Madera apartment building.

Jonathan Maines, 20, of Madera, was taken into custody March 21 and is facing charges of criminal homicide, two counts of aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person in Sahm’s death.

Maines is being held in the Clearfield County jail without bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday.

An affidavit of probable cause filed Monday offers more details on the events at the Clearfield County apartment building on March 20.

A witness told investigators that she was in the bathroom in an apartment when she heard a “ruckus” and someone allegedly saying, “So what? You going to kill me?” She said she then heard a “painful cry.”

When she went toward the bedroom, she saw Sahm and Maines standing in a hallway.

Sahm’s face was pale, and he had a knife sticking out of him she told officers. She could hear blood pouring out of him onto the floor, police said in the affidavit.

Maines came toward her, pushing her down the hallway and in the direction of the back steps. The two went to the first floor of the residence where they met with a second witness, the affidavit says.

The three of them then left the residence and spoke briefly outside.

The second witness left the scene while Maines and the first witness went back inside where they saw Sahm lying at the bottom of the steps with blood everywhere.

The first witness called 911 using Sahm’s cellphone.

The witness told police that when she asked Maines about the incident, he said Sahm had two knives in him.

The second witness reported that he was downstairs when the assault happened, confirming the first witness’ account.

From the bottom of the stairs he allegedly saw Maines backing out of the bedroom and then Sahm, who was covered in blood, staggered out of the bedroom and fell into the opposite wall.

When they talked outside, this witness reportedly said Maines had a lot of blood on his jeans.

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