FRANK LEWIS
PDT Staff Writer
A West Portsmouth man and woman have been charged in the stabbing and beating of a man who was staying with them.
Loretta L. Bailey, 37, and John R. Frost, 41, both of 102 Howards Lane, are charged with felony assault and tampering with evidence.
Deputies were called to that address Friday night in reference to a disturbance. While en route to the scene, Scioto County Sheriff”s Deputy Matt Frantz said dispatch advised him a male had been stabbed. Deputies Kirk Jackson, Charles Wilson and Frantz arrived to find Todd Collignon standing in the yard across the street at 131 Howards Lane. Deputies reported he was covered in blood and appeared to have a stab wound to his back, and an injury to his hand, as well as blood on the top of his head.
Across the street, deputies were met by Frost and Bailey.
According to the Sheriff”s report, Frost said Collignon was a guest at his residence and they had all been drinking. Frost said Collignon became upset over problems with his girlfriend and began arguing with the two. Frost said Collignon grabbed an axe handle and threatened him with it during the argument. Frost said Collignon threw down the axe handle and then passed out. Shortly thereafter, Collignon woke up and started arguing again, Frost said. That is when Frost said he picked up the axe handle and struck Collignon several times. Frost said Collignon had no weapons.
Frost said he continued striking Collignon as Collignon was walking away, and he was unaware when Collignon was stabbed in the back.
Frost told deputies the axe handle was in the living room, and deputies found it leaning against a four-wheeler. The axe handle had blood on it. Jackson read Bailey her Miranda rights and she immediately requested an attorney. He said it was then that the interview ended.
Frost was asked who stabbed him and he told them it was Bailey who stabbed him but he did not see what she used, assuming she used a knife. Both were taken into custody.
Frantz’s story changed, according to the report, when he told deputies that Collignon had passed out in a truck, came out of the truck and came toward Frost. Frost said he kept swinging the axe handle, and Collignon raised his arms to block more blows. Frost said he made contact with Collignon’s head, and at some point Frost was on the ground, and Bailey came up behind Collignon and somehow got him off Frost.
Later, Collignon got up and crossed the road onto neighbor’s property, and Frost and Bailey went back to their residence. When asked where the stabbing occurred, Frost said he did now know how or when it happened. He said he did not see Bailey stab Collignon.
Collignon’s condition was not known at the time of the report.
Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com.
















