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A Monmouth County grand jury has returned an indictment charging Anthony Butts, 22, of Neptune Township, with first degree attempted murder, third degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and fourth degree unlawful possession of a weapon, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced Tuesday.

The charges stem from the July 31 stabbing during a party in Asbury Park, Gramiccioni said.

An Asbury Park police officer was on patrol near 1:09 a.m. when he heard screaming coming from the area of a parking lot on Springwood Avenue, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Charles Webster said. The officer found a crowd of people and a 25-year-old Asbury Park man lying on the ground, bleeding profusely.

The victim was transported by the Asbury Park Fire Department and Monmouth-Ocean Hospital Services Corporation [MONOC] paramedics to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune Township. He underwent surgery for several wounds to his upper body.

An investigation revealed the victim and several of his friends and family were having a party at his sister’s home. Butts, who attended the party, entered a parked car with the victim. Butts stabbed the victim several times then fled from the scene as the victim stumbled out of the car to seek help, Webster said.

Butts was arrested by the Asbury Park Police Department later that day, and held in the Monmouth County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.

If convicted of the attempted murder charge, Butts faces a maximum potential custodial sentence of up to 20 years in state prison, up to five years in prison on the third degree weapons charge, and up to 18 months in prison on the fourth degree weapons charge.

The attempted murder charge is subject to the “No Early Release Act,” which requires Butts must serve 85 percent of any prison sentence imposed before becoming eligible for parole, Webster said.

An arraignment will be scheduled within the next 45 days before Superior Court Judge Anthony J. Mellaci, Jr. The case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Bogner. Butts is represented by Glenn Kassman of Point Pleasant.

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