COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A man who was charged in connection with a May 16, 2018 road rage incident in Coldwater that led to the stabbing of two men was sentenced Monday in Branch County Circuit Court.
22-year-old Javonta Lamont Tyson of Coldwater, who lived in Fort Wayne at the time of the incident, entered a no contest plea to a charge of assault with a weapon. He was given an 11 month jail sentence with credit for 159 days already served. Tyson was placed on probation for two years and according to court documents, he must also pay almost $30,000 in restitution to the two victims in the case.
In exchange for the plea, charges of assault with intent to murder and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder were dismissed.
39-year-old Eric Kanouse was stabbed in the side during first incident at the intersection of U.S. 12 and Sprague Street after he honked at a SUV in front of him, which was driven by Tyson’s girl friend, when she did not immediately pull away from a green light.
Kanouse said he followed Tyson’s vehicle so he could get a license plate number. The pursuit went to Michigan and Hull where 47-year-old Steven Holt was stabbed in the knee. Tyson was later arrested on M-86 about a mile west of Coldwater.
During the preliminary examination testimony, Kanouse said he felt fear for his children while Tyson told WOOD-TV he was protecting himself.
