Alleged assailant pleads not guilty

DAYTON–A 30-year-old Dayton man charged with first-degree assault and fourth-degree assault stemming from an April 26 incident has pleaded not guilty at a May 6 hearing.

Reid N. Ngiraswei, 110 S. Pine Street #14, is being held on $50,000 bond following the hearing in Columbia County Superior Court with Judge G. Scott Marinella presiding.

Ngiraswei is charged with first-degree assault after Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to reports of an incident in the parking lot of The Club, and discovered Kristopher Hogoboom, age and address not available, bleeding from apparent stab wounds. According to police reports, Hogoboom was assisting his wife, who was said to be suffering from an asthma attack, to her feet when Ngiraswei allegedly assaulted him with a knife.

A second deputy arriving at the scene took Ngiraswei into custody.

Sheriff Joe Helm interviewed the suspect, and Ngiraswei stated that he had been in a fight by The Club. He was armed with a knife as he approached a man and woman that he thought were fighting with each other. According to Helm, the suspect admitted to stabbing Kristopher Hogoboom in the abdomen with the knife he turned over to the arresting deputy. He also allegedly struck Felicia Hogoboom in the side of her face as she attempted to pull Ngiraswei off Mr. Hogoboom.

Ngiraswei is being represented by Rea Culwell.

The omnibus/trial setting hearing was held May 20, 2020.