06-03-2025
Man charged after allegedly attacking woman with knife at Grafton home
GRAFTON, (WBOY) — A Grafton man was arrested over the weekend after he allegedly attacked a woman with a knife during an argument and threatened to cut out her tongue 'so she couldn't talk to anyone else.'
On March 1, officers with the Grafton Police Department spoke with an individual requesting a domestic violence prevention order due to a fight, according to a criminal complaint.
The victim stated that the fight was between her and Steven Barker, 29, of Grafton; she showed 'her hand with bandages' and said that Barker 'went after her with a buck knife,' officers said.
During the argument, Barker allegedly punched the victim 'because she wouldn't look at him,' according to the complaint, and then ''struck her on the top of her head and on the side near her temple with his fist.'
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Barker then 'obtained the buck knife and charged her to cut her with it,' and the victim 'grabbed the knife to try to get it away from him,' officers said.
While holding the knife, the victim 'wouldn't let go,' and Barker 'headbutted her on the forehead' and then Barker 'put the knife in her hands and told her to shove the knife up to his throat and told her she could kill him,' according to the complaint. However, the victim 'tossed the knife and told [Barker] she is not going to do so,' officers said.
Barker retrieved the knife, while he 'was approaching her' he 'stated he would kill her or cut her tongue out so she couldn't talk to anyone else,' officers said.
When the incident finished, Barker 'apologized and stated that the injuries [the victim] sustained were her fault and she is the reason he drew the knife,' according to the complaint.
Barker has been charged with malicious assault. He is being held in Tygart Valley Regional Jail on $10,000 bond.
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