Ashley Babbitt Photo

NORWICH – Three individuals have been arrested in connection to Friday’s early morning stabbing in the city.

On Friday April 28, at approximately 3:26 a.m., the Norwich Police Department received a complaint through the Chenango County 911 Dispatch Center. Patrols were advised the victim was reporting that they had been stabbed.

According to the police, officers responded and confirmed that the victim had sustained a stab wound to the arm.

The Norwich Fire Department responded and transported the victim to Chenango Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The Norwich Police Department, with the assistance of the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, began an investigation into the reported incident.

During the course of the investigation, police said it was learned that there had been an altercation on Birdsall Street in Norwich, near the intersection with Griffin Street. During that altercation, police said the victim received the stab wound to the arm.

Three were arrested in connection to the incident:

• Eric W. Carpenter, age 36, of 10 York Street, Apt. 4, Norwich, was arrested for assault in the second degree, a class D felony; and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor.

• Brandon T. Parker, age 22, address listed as ‘homeless,’ and Russell R. Button Jr., age 21, of 208 Owens Road, South Plymouth, have been charged with tampering with physical evidence, a class E felony.

Per a release from the Norwich Police Department, the assault charge alleges that Carpenter, with intent to cause physical injury to another person, he caused such injury to such person or to a third person by means of a deadly weapon or a dangerous instrument.

The criminal possession of a weapon charge alleges that Carpenter possessed any dagger, dangerous knife, dirk, machete, razor, stiletto, imitation pistol, or any other dangerous or deadly instrument or weapon with intent to use the same unlawfully against another.

The tampering with physical evidence charges against both Parker and Button Jr. alleges that, believing that certain physical evidence was about to be produced or used in an official proceeding or a prospective official proceeding, and intending to prevent such production or use, they suppressed it by any act of concealment, alteration or destruction.

This investigation was conducted by both patrol officers and the Detective of the Norwich Police

Department as well as deputies and detectives of the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office. The Norwich Police also consulted with the Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride during the investigation.

“This was another case where the cooperation between the two law enforcement agencies paid off,” said Norwich Police Chief Rodney Marsh. “These arrests were made and the weapon was recovered, just over three hours after having received the initial complaint,” said Chief Marsh.

The victim was treated at Chenango Memorial Hospital and has since been released.

“It was also confirmed that the victim and the three arrestees, were in fact acquaintances,” said Marsh.

All three individuals were arraigned in Norwich City Court Friday morning before Judge James Cushman.

Carpenter was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility in lieu of $25,000 cash bail. Both Parker and Button Jr. were remanded in lieu of $3,000 cash bail each.

All three are scheduled to reappear in Norwich City Court Monday morning for a felony hearing.