A Hammond man charged with murder in a June stabbing was granted bail Friday.
Lake Superior Court Judge Samuel Cappas said that based on the evidence at the bail hearing, Leterr Levert Petty Jr., 19, did not knowingly kill Xavier Curtis, 50, who was stabbed or slashed three times and died when his femoral artery was damaged from being stabbed in the leg.
That Petty rendered first aid to Curtis also pointed to a lack of intent to kill Curtis, Cappas said.
Cappas rejected a self-defense claim raised by defense attorney John Cantrell, who argued that Petty was defending himself from Curtis during an argument on June 10 in the 6000 block of Hohman Avenue in Hammond. Witnesses reported hearing two “smacks” or punches during the argument.
Deputy prosecutor Christopher Bruno argued that Petty escalated the situation by stabbing Curtis, while Cantrell said Curtis, who had been drinking and was intoxicated, had been holding down Petty. Cantrell said Curtis outweighed Petty by 60 to 70 pounds.
Bruno also argued that Petty’s use of force in the stabbing was not proportional to Petty’s description to police of being punched twice in the face. At most, Bruno said, Curtis’ actions would amount to misdemeanor battery.
Cappas said that based on evidence presented at the bail hearing, the facts would support a charge of involuntary manslaughter or reckless homicide, but not murder. The judge set bail at the standard amount for a Level 5 felony, $20,000 surety, or $2,000 cash.
Petty’s next court date is Sept. 26.
Ruth Ann Krause is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
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