Morristown Man Charged With Attempted Murder in Stabbing Incident

A Morristown man has been charged with attempted murder following a Sunday night stabbing incident inside a Chatham Borough apartment that sent the victim to the hospital with a wound to the neck.

Police said Juan Mutute, 46, of Morristown, has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose.

Chatham Borough Police Chief Philip J. Crosson said the incident involved two adult males and one adult female inside an apartment building at 49 S. Passaic Ave. Sunday night at about 10:35 p.m.

According to police, the three allegedly had a dispute that "resulted in one male victim being stabbed by another male subject currently in custody," Crosson said.

Matute was arrested by Madison Police at the Chatham Train Station, "within 10 minutes" of the incident and after the suspect's description had been relayed to surrounding towns, Crosson said. 

Matute is being held at Morris County Correctional Facility on $250,000 bail.

The victim was stabbed with "what was described as a pocket knife," according to a police statement.

The injury was sustained to the side of the neck and was described by Crosson as "serious but not life-threatening." The victim was transported to Morristown Memorial Hospital by the Chatham Emergency Squad at around 11:10 p.m. The victim remained in the hospital Monday under observation.

Eight officers from the Chatham Borough Police Department responded to the scene, including Crosson, Lt. Brian Gibbons, Sgt. Michael Mahoney, Det. Sgt. Michael Bochniak, Det. Edward A. Uranyi, Ptlm. Roy George, Ptlm. Brian Colatrella and Ptlm. Andrew Chase.

Borough Mayor Nelson Vaughan confirmed late Sunday night that an apparent suspect was in custody.

Chatham Borough Police, Chatham Township Police and Transit Police units were seen in the area of 49 S. Passaic Ave. Sunday at around 11 p.m.

Three vehicles from the Madison Police Department were seen parked outside the Chatham Borough Police Station also at about 11:10 p.m.

The area around 49 S. Passaic Ave. includes an apartment building, several houses,  and the train tracks for New Jersey Transit. Main Street and downtown Chatham are within three blocks, as are the Chatham Borough Fire Department and the Chatham Borough Municipal Building.

According to police, the investigation remains on-going by the Chatham Borough Detective Bureau with the assistance of the Morris County Prosecutors Office, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and the New Jersey State Police.