White River Junction
Steven Aspen allegedly cut David Aspen’s arm with a knife so badly that the victim had to be airlifted to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center shortly after the 2 a.m. incident on River Street. An officer in the case described the wound as a “partial amputation,” according to an affidavit in the case.
Steven Aspen also allegedly left an 8-inch slice mark down his brother’s jawline and cut his neck, the affidavit said.
David Aspen’s medical condition as of Monday evening wasn’t publicly available. A DHMC spokesman said he wasn’t authorized to release information in the case.
Springfield police arrested Aspen on Sunday and cited him into Windsor Superior Court for an arraignment on two felony charges, including maiming, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. He also faces a charge of first-degree aggravated domestic assault. He pleaded not guilty to both charges on Monday.
Windsor County State’s Attorney David Cahill requested Aspen be held on $25,000 cash or surety bail, while Aspen’s attorney Richard Lees objected and asked he be released on conditions. Judge Timothy Tomasi sided with Cahill.
“The allegation is that Mr. Steven Aspen seriously stabbed his brother in at least two locations, one from the ear approximately to the chin, and then a second stab wound that nearly severed the arm,” Cahill said after the hearing.
Cahill, who has been in Windsor County since 2005, said this is the first time he has ever filed a maiming charge against someone.
Aspen has a prior criminal record in Vermont, New Hampshire and Connecticut, Cahill said.
Steven Aspen never conclusively told police what sparked the altercation or how his brother received his injuries, according to several affidavits in the case.
When police arrived on scene and encountered Steven Aspen outside of the apartment, he first denied that a fight took place.
He provided several conflicting statements throughout police questioning, including that David Aspen fell, causing his own injuries. Steven Aspen also said he acted in self-defense when David came at him, according to an affidavit.
Steven Aspen described a rough childhood, with him and his brother being separated and in and out of foster homes, and he said that he went to visit David Aspen on Sunday evening for the holidays.
Because of the extent of David Aspen’s injuries, police weren’t able to interview him. They did, however, talk to several neighbors who recalled hearing an altercation take place and David Aspen scream for help and to “get this man away from me,” according to the affidavit.
Steven Aspen suffered a laceration to his thumb in the incident. He told police that he and his brother had been drinking and smoking marijuana prior to the incident. Steven Aspen had a blood alcohol concentration of .108 roughly four hours after the incident, documents indicate.
He remains lodged at Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield, Vt. His next court date is slated for Jan. 22.
Jordan Cuddemi can be reached at jcuddemi@vnews.com or 603-727-3248.
Correction
Steven Aspen is from White Rive r Junction. A previous headline with this story named an incorrect town for his residence.