WESTMINSTER — A 38-year-old Westminster man entered a not guilty plea to a charge of manslaughter after a fatal stabbing at a Westminster home early Sunday morning.
Lonnie Place appeared in Windham Superior Court in Brattleboro on Monday to answer to the charge. He is being held without bail.
Vermont State Police said Michael Johnson, 37, of Bellows Falls, was stabbed in the chest at the home of Christina Allcock in the Shady Pine Mobile Home Park shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Sunday. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Rescue Inc. personnel.
State police from the Rockingham barracks responded to a 911 call that some had been stabbed. When troopers arrived, they found Johnson lying unconscious on the floor. Troopers administered first aid until Rescue Inc. personnel arrived.
According to state police, several people at the residence went outside to a vehicle and then refused to exit when asked by the troopers so that they could continue to investigate and gain information about the incident.
The people in the vehicle were removed by the troopers and in doing so, Allcock attempted to light Detective Lt. Kraig Laporte's jacket on fire and punched him in the face, state police said.
Allcock was subsequently charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and released on conditions, state police said. Laporte was treated by Rescue Inc. on scene for minor injuries.
Michael Allcock, 43, of Bellows Falls, was charged with impeding police for refusing officer's orders, as he attempted to enter the crime scene after being told not to do so.
He was cited and released, state police said.