Latest news with #HillsboroughCountyAttorney'sOffice
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Stabbing suspect may argue self-defense in high-profile case
A man charged with stabbing another man during a fight on Elm Street in Manchester in February might argue self-defense as part of the pending case. Kyle Bisson, 25, of Manchester, faces charges of first-degree assault, attempted first-degree assault and two counts of falsifying physical evidence. His lawyers filed a notice of potential defense that evidence 'may show that he was legally justified in using physical force in self-defense.' His case became part of a political firestorm after Bisson was released on personal recognizance bail. Gov. Kelly Ayotte and other Republican leaders used his release as a rallying cry for changes to the state's bail laws. Ayotte signed a bill in March that many politicians say will close a revolving door of criminals being released only to go on to reoffend. Bisson is set to be arraigned on June 20, according to court records. The charges stem from an incident in front of Bunny's Convenience store on Elm Street between Bisson and Michael Perry, 42. Public defender Tom Stonitsch says the notice is being given based on evidence, including police reports, body-worn camera footage and surveillance videos. 'Based upon the facts contained in discovery, the evidence at trial may show that Mr. Bisson used non-deadly & deadly physical force to defend himself from what he reasonably believed was the imminent and/or continued deadly force by M.P,' Stonitsch wrote. The surveillance video from the store does not have audio, but shows the exchange, according to court documents. 'In the footage, it is clear M.P. was the initial physical aggressor, punching Mr. Bisson. Mr. Bisson then appears to pull a pocket-style knife out from his pocket, but does not advance towards M.P.,' the notice reads. 'However, the knife drops, and as Mr. Bisson goes to pick it up, he is attacked yet again by M.P., this time from behind.' A police affidavit indicates Perry also called Bisson a racial slur before the stabbing. Perry claimed to have a knife and told police he went into 'combat mode,' the notice reads. In a rare move, the Hillsborough County Attorney's Office tried to have Bisson's district court bail revoked as part of a civil filing in superior court. Court documents revealed that Bisson has been released without objection from a police prosecutor. According to the complaint, Bisson stabbed Perry nine times with a pocket knife during the fight with most of the wounds coming as Perry tried to flee. In an unrelated case, Bisson was convicted of criminal threatening (domestic violence) in October and was given a 60-day sentence suspended for two years.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Yahoo
Prosecutor seeks to revoke bail for stabbing suspect after it became political lightning rod
Feb. 14—The Hillsborough County Attorney's Office is seeking to revoke the bail of a man connected to a stabbing outside a Manchester convenience store last week, which prompted outcry after a magistrate released the 25-year-old man without bail. Kyle Bisson of Manchester was arrested on Bridge Street on charges of second-degree assault and two counts of falsifying evidence after the stabbing of a 42-year-old man in front of the Bunny's Convenience store on Elm Street. The two men reportedly did not know each other. Bisson was released on personal recognizance bail by Magistrate Stephanie Johnson after Manchester police argued for preventive detention during a magistrate hearing held Saturday. Bisson was convicted of criminal threatening (domestic violence) in October and was given a 60-day sentence suspended for two years. While police lambasted Johnson's decision, a police prosecutor during the Monday hearing did not seek a modification of the bail, according to court documents. The prosecutor asked for Bisson to arrive at the police station to be formally booked. Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais and Gov. Kelly Ayotte, both Republicans, have criticized Johnson's decision. The Hillsborough County Attorney is John Coughlin, who is also a Republican. Prosecutor Patrick Ives is asking the Superior Court to revoke the prior order of bail and hold Bisson on preventive detention. A hearing is set to be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Bisson stabbed the victim nine times with a pocket knife during a fight, and the majority of the wounds came as the man tried to flee, according to the complaint. Bisson later threw the knife in a storm drain and a red winter jacket into a dumpster, according to court documents. Police were called to the scene around 7 p.m., according to a police prosecutor. The alleged victim was brought to Elliot Hospital. Bisson had been stabbed once in the chest during the altercation and called 911. Police say security footage showed the two having "some sort of verbal argument" when the other man, whom documents refer to as "M.P.," punched Bisson in the face. "Then, Bisson makes a whipping downward motion with his right hand, which appeared consistent with someone whipping a folding pocket knife blade out. However, when he does this, he turns around and looks on the ground, as if he had dropped something," the affidavit reads. "He then bends down as if to pick something up and M.P. rushes him. At this point, the two of them are on the ground in a fight, however, they are partially out of view of the camera." Bisson told police that M.P. had called him a derogatory name for Black people, according to the affidavit, and after exchanging words with the man, was punched in the face. Bisson thought he was going "to get beaten to a pulp" and said he acted in self-defense, according to court documents. The alleged victim explained that Bisson "purposely bumped into him." He said after a verbal exchange Bisson came after him in "combat mode." Ruais blasted the bail ruling in a news release and again during his State of the City address Wednesday morning. He urged lawmakers to get a bail reform bill to Ayotte's desk as quickly as possible "and get these people off our streets." "On what planet is it considered acceptable to stab another human being at least nine times, then be released back out onto our streets? This is unconscionable. Our police, our residents and our visitors are put at risk when criminals like this continue to be released, and it has to stop," he said. In a separate release, he also later thanked Ayotte for making bail reform a priority. "Keeping violent and repeat offenders behind bars is the foundation of public safety of our citizens is non-negotiable," he wrote. "We cannot wait for another tragedy like the recent stabbing in Manchester to demonstrate why Bail Reform is needed." Bisson's public defender Ali Rosenblatt did not return and email Friday evening.
