Ann Arbor man accused of stabbing mother had assaulted her before, records show
An Ann Arbor man accused of beating and stabbing his mother Wednesday and leaving her in critical condition was convicted of assaulting her in 2005, Washtenaw County court records show.
Anthony Pocrnich, 25, was arraigned this afternoon at the Washtenaw County Jail on a charge of assault with intent to murder. He is being held on $100,000 bond.
Pocrnich's 49-year-old mother remains in critical condition at the University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor police Det. Bill Stanford said.
Pocrnich is accused of repeatedly stabbing his mother with a knife in the torso at 6 a.m. Wednesday and punching her in the head and body at their home in the 1400 block of Hatcher Crescent, Stanford said.
Officers responded after the woman called 911 to report her son stabbed her, police said. Pocrnich was arrested at the scene without incident.
Asked why Pocrnich allegedly attacked his mother, Stanford said Pocrnich has been diagnosed with a mental illness.
At his arraignment today, Pocrnich told Magistrate Thomas Truesdell that he is single, doesn't have a job and receives $670 a month in Supplemental Security Income.
In October 2005, Pocrnich was sentenced to two years of probation under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act after pleading guilty to assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder, records show.
He assaulted his mother on May 19, 2005 at her home, records say, leaving her with serious injuries, including puncturing both of her lungs. Records show a hockey stick, lamp and box fan were used in that attack.
Pocrnich later violated his probation and served a year in jail, he said in court today. According to court records, he has been off probation since April 2007.
Magistrate Truesdell ordered that Pocrnich have no contact with his mother. Pocrnich is scheduled to return to 14A-1 District Court for a preliminary hearing on July 28 at 1 p.m.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and e-mail at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
David Briegel
Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 9:58 p.m.
Mertie, It is not a lack of funds. It is just too low of a priority. The wealthy have access to mental health care. It is the poor who suffer. And the rest of society!
Mertie
Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 7:44 p.m.
To SteveK: The state DID have a psychiatric prison hospital to deal with mental illness of prisoners but it was closed about 6 years ago due to lack of state funds.
Ricebrnr
Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 2:25 p.m.
@ Stevek, From your other comments that's what I thought you meant. Too many people would take your original statement as an absolute though. This is why I wanted to clarify.
stevek
Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 1:13 p.m.
@ricebrnr-if you kill someone in self defense of yourself or others--no problem. A sane person would do that. I am talking about individuals who kill innocent victims without provocation
Rasputin
Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 11:14 a.m.
Two things come to mind: 1. Shame on the Judge for not getting him the mental health help he so clearly needed. 2. Shame on our State Government for having eviscerated the mental health system back in the 90s and shutting down all the clinics.
Ricebrnr
Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 9:12 a.m.
@Stevek Just for clarification, those who kill justly in defense of self or others have mental problems as well? I must have some mental defect that allows me to decide that my life and the lives of my family are worth more than those endangering them? Just checking...the first step to recovery is admintting you have a problem I suppose.
David Briegel
Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 8:47 a.m.
SteveK, you will get your much more expensive wish. Sad. Conservatives never want to discuss the correlation between our empire, Perpetual War Profiteering and the lack of a just and civil society. Eisenhower knew quite well.
stevek
Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 8:41 a.m.
Everyone who kills someone has a mental problem. No sane person murders someone. I would like to see individuals with mental illness issues get help---behind prison walls.
WashtenawCountyCourtsExaminer
Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 7:39 a.m.
Washtenaw County Court records show that Pocrnich was scheduled for a mental health hearing before Judge O'Brien the day of the stabbing: Wednesday July 14, 2010 8:30 am MH-P-08-0000196 MI In the Matter of Pocrnich, Anthony James Mental Health Hearing
David Briegel
Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 6:47 a.m.
Eisenhower warned us that the Perpetual War Profiteering would preclude funding for a just and civil society. A great man who is largely ignored by conservatives who worship Ronnie Reagan who was half the man Eisenhower was! Willing to pay for the empire but not a just and civil society.
KathrynHahn
Fri, Jul 16, 2010 : 2:28 a.m.
This saddens me as it reminds me of a family in a nearby community where the same thing happened. Only the son's threats were not enough to incarcerate him, until after he actually killed his mom, who I knew. She was terrified of him and he would threaten to harm her if she called police. The mentally ill need to be taken seriously and treated properly, and not left to roam freely until they kill. Probation indeed...... sad
Ryan
Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 11:50 p.m.
Buzz,that's great that you believe that. But it is an act of tyranny for you to impose YOUR beliefs upon another. If you want to provide all encompassing benefits, donate all your funds to doing so. But how is it fair or just to force another to fufill YOUR conception of what makes a society?
clara
Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 10:54 p.m.
@Deb Anderson "Shame on probation for letting him slip through the system"? Not, he violated his probation and was sentenced by the Court (the Judge) to jail. Unfortunately, the Michigan Department of Corrections purges the records in their OTIS system so we cannot look up his history there but the State of Michigan will let you pay at their ichat site to get his criminal history.
buzz
Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 10:49 p.m.
With regard to the responsibility of the larger community for horrendous situations like this one, which sadly, is not at all rare, let's all take a look at the fact that because we all want to pay less in taxes, the state and municipal hospitals and facilities that could care for mentally ill people have simply closed their doors. Personally I'd be happy to pay more taxes for my own safety and that of this woman, though she is a stranger to me, and all of us. The gift of good health is compensation enough. In my view it's hard to call it a 'society' until we are all looking out for each other and making sure everyone has what they need, including advanced care for aged, ill, or others who need it.
cook1888
Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 8:39 p.m.
I'll bet his mother has prayed a million times that her son be cured of his mental illness. Some people can't accept their diagnosis and don't stick with treatment. Those that do can recover, manage their illness and lead normal lives. My prayers go to this mother, too. I am sure her pain goes way beyond physical.
David Briegel
Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 8:26 p.m.
We will soon be closing prisons. No funds. There will be many more situations like this. No funds for mental health care. Until they are incarcerated.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 8:06 p.m.
@RJA "Asked why Pocrnich allegedly attacked his mother, Stanford said Pocrnich has been diagnosed with a mental illness." "he is single, doesn't have a job and receives $670 a month in Supplemental Security Income." Single? quelle surprise!
RJA
Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 7:47 p.m.
How could a son be so cruel to his mother that gave him birth and life? To often parents en-able their children, thinking because I love him so much I have to do everything for them rather than allow them to stand on their own two feet. This may not be the case with this mother. Not only is she hurting from her injuries, but the fact that her son will be in jail or prison for some time now. I pray that she recovers from injuries sustained by her son, then has the strength to let go and let God.
Deb
Thu, Jul 15, 2010 : 6:42 p.m.
Shame on the judge who let him off on mere probation. Shame on probation for letting him slip through the system. My prayers are with his mother. SHAME on the system for allowing this to happen.