WELLINGTON, Utah — A Wellington man is facing a charge of attempted murder after he was accused of stabbing a man 17 times after he allegedly made comments his daughter.
Thad James Gurule, 32, was booked into Carbon County Jail Wednesday.
The investigation began Monday when police were called to home in Wellington after reports of a man covered in blood standing on the porch. Emergency personnel eventually found the victim a short distance away from the location with multiple stab wounds.
The victim, who wasn't identified, was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors say they determined he had been stabbed 17 times. Officers spoke to the victim, who stated that he didn't know the name of his attacker but that he had met him several days earlier at the post office.
Officers identified the alleged attacker as Gurule, later contacting him at his home, where he admitted to assaulting the man because he allegedly made comments about Gurule's daughter.
Gurule told detectives that he did an internet search on the victim and discovered that he was a registered sex offender.
Investigators say Gurule walked over to the victim's apartment, asking him if he wanted to go for a walk for some food. According to detectives, Gurule admitted he intended to assault the victim in "an effort to protect his daughter."
Gurule at first denied stabbing the man, but later admitted to throwing the knife away at the scene.
When Gurule's residence was searched, investigators found multiple paraphernalia items, suspected marijuana, and suspected methamphetamine.
