Man jailed in Thanksgiving sword stabbing

  

AMBRIDGE, Pa. - November 27, 2009 -- A black western Pennsylvanian has been charged with attempted homicide for using an 18-inch sword to stab a drunk white man who yelled racial slurs at his own dog and the suspect.

Forty-four-year-old Vernon Bridges, of Ambridge, allegedly stabbed 48-year-old Ronald Book with an 18-inch blade concealed in a cane on Thanksgiving. Police say the blade went in Book's abdomen and came out his back.

Book was in critical condition at UPMC Presbyterian hospital.

Police say the stabbing happened after Bridges overheard Book, his neighbor, yelling racial slurs at the animal and Book's son - who is also white and had allegedly let the animal run free. Police say Book began yelling slurs at Bridges after he told Book to quiet down.

It's not clear if Bridges has an attorney. Police say Bridges is claiming self-defense.

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Information from: Beaver County Times

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