EL DORADO -- A Smackover man and his son charged in a pair of stabbings July 4 that left an El Dorado man dead and his teenage stepson seriously injured made their first court appearances Monday.
Michael D. Dungerow, 50, and Jacob T. Dungerow, 18, face felony charges of second-degree murder and second-degree battery in the fatal stabbing of Wesley Owens, 37, and the wounding of Brian Ponder, 17.
Bail for each was set at $100,000 Monday, and both will be appointed public defenders. The Dungerows received a daily curfew of 5 p.m. until 8 a.m. should they post bail and be released from the Union County jail.
The case will be handled by the 13th Judicial District prosecuting attorney's office.
Owens suffered lacerations in his back, the left side of his head and near his right rib, Smackover police said. Ponder received a laceration on the left side of his face near the temple and a large puncture wound in his back and left side of his neck.
Michael Dungerow was arrested on the night of the stabbing, which occurred at his residence in Smackover.
Jacob Dungerow was taken into custody during a traffic stop at about 9:30 a.m. Monday, Smackover Police Chief Michael Fife said.
The police chief said authorities believe that alcohol fueled an argument that escalated. A witness made statements indicating the Dungerows acted in self-defense, but Fife said information obtained during the investigation doesn't support the witness' account of events.
Fife said Ponder is Owens' stepson and the brother of Jacob Dungerow's girlfriend.
State Desk on 07/15/2016