Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Break-in leads to man being stabbed

A 23-year-old Nevada County man is being held in the Nevada County Jail after stabbing another man and crashing his car into another one.

According to Nevada County Sheriff Steve Otwell, around midnight Tuesday, Feb. 10, Derrick Christopher allegedly broke into the home of Johnny Watts in the Oak Grove community and assaulted him with a knife. Watts was critically injured after being stabbed a number of times, and receiving several cuts as well.

Tivia McKinney was reportedly at Watts's home when Christopher broke in and attacked Watts.

Following the assault on Watts, Otwell said, Christopher left, as did McKinney. However, Christopher reportedly used his vehicle to prevent McKinney from leaving the main road until they came to the home of Andre Williams, about two miles west of Rosston on Highway 278. McKinney turned into Williams's driveway, only to have Christopher allegedly ram his car into hers. She exited her vehicle and began running toward Williams's house.

Williams, Otwell said, heard the commotion and went outside, reportedly saw Christopher assaulting McKinney, and broke it up

He wouldn't allow Christopher to leave the scene of the collision in his (Christopher's) vehicle. However, Williams was unable to make Christopher stay and wait for the authorities.

Christopher fled the scene on foot, but turned himself in at the Nevada County Sheriff's Office around 10 a.m. Wednesday morning. Christopher was placed under arrest and is being held in jail pending charges.

Watts was transported to Medical Park Hospital and was placed in the intensive care unit. Otwell said Watts had been stabbed in the right side and through the right arm, along with being cut in several places, including the face.

Otwell said Christopher will be charged with residential burglary for breaking into Watts's home, along with aggravated assault. However, depending on what the investigation turns up, Christopher could also be charged with either first degree battery or attempted murder.