The community was disturbed to learn last week of a stabbing in Vernal and relieved to learn the suspect, 56-year-old Virgil Leon Carmickle, was booked into Uintah County Jail and charged. Vernal PD issued a press release stating that the incident took place on June 26th at 81 North 600 West. The victim had a severe laceration from the altercation and had been transported to the ER and then transported to a Salt Lake area hospital for further treatment. The Probable Cause Statement provided in court documents shares the following details on the altercation: “On or about June 26th, in Uintah County, a delivery truck driver was unloading a truck at Family Dollar. [Carmickle] approached the driver as he was unloading his truck and started an argument with the driver. [Carmickle] stated he was going to get a knife and left. [He] returned with two knives, one in each hand, and told the driver that he was going to kill him. [Carmickle] then proceeded to swing the knives at the driver multiple times, and the driver tried to defend himself by putting his arms up and was cut by [Carmickle’s] knife swings, causing extensive damage to the driver’s hand, so much so that he was air lifted to the University of Utah Medical Center in an attempt to save his hand. His arteries were severely severed. An employee of Family Dollar was helping the driver unload the truck and witnessed the incident. That employee tried to help the driver and [Carmickle] came at that employee with the knives as well, but the employee hit [him] with a roller and [he] dropped a knife and left. [Carmickle] was intoxicated to the point that he was a danger to himself and others and had to be transported to the hospital for a medical clearance.” Carmickle is charged with Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Intoxication. He is scheduled for his initial appearance in 8th District Court on July 6th and remains in custody at the Uintah County Jail where he is being held on no bail.
