Hagerstown man charged in stabbing that left son's friend dead over weekend
A Hagerstown man has been charged with first-degree murder after stabbing his son's friend in the chest over the weekend, according to Washington County District Court records.
City police responded to the 100 block of East Washington Street around 7:53 p.m. Saturday for two stabbing victims, according to a police news release. That block is between South Locust and South Mulberry streets.
Both victims were taken to Meritus Medical Center, where Damien Tracy Bonitto, 28, was pronounced dead later that night, according to court records and the police release. Bonitto also had multiple cuts to one of his hands, which charging documents stated were consistent with defensive wounds.
The police investigation determined a "father-son domestic disturbance was the initial cause of the altercation," according to the police release.
Thomas Auguster Dorsey, 58, faces one count each of first- and second-degree murder and first-degree assault in the stabbing of Bonitto, according to court records. The first-degree murder charge has a maximum penalty of up to life in prison.
Dorsey was held without bond Monday afternoon after a hearing before District Court Judge Mark D. Thomas.
During the hearing, Thomas noted the "extremely serious charges," referencing stabbing one of the men in the heart. Even without factoring in two prior second-degree assault cases, he said he felt it was a matter of public safety to continue holding Dorsey without bond.
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The other man stabbed in the hand was Dorsey's son, Elijah Demetrius Dorsey, 22, court records state.
Thomas Dorsey also faces two counts each of second-degree assault and reckless endangerment in the stabbings of Bonitto and Elijah Dorsey, court records state.
The younger Dorsey told police at the scene that his father stabbed him and Bonitto, court records state.
Thomas Dorsey, taken to a Hagerstown Police Department interview room, asked for water to wash the blood off his hands, court documents state.
Dorsey told a detective that he and his son were arguing and he told his son he could leave if he didn't like living there, court records state. Elijah Dorsey called a friend, Bonitto, to help him remove his belongings.
Thomas Dorsey told police that when he let Bonitto into the home, Bonitto "began arguing with him and struck him in the face," charging documents state. Dorsey told Bonitto to get out, but the younger Dorsey told Bonitto to come back in to help with packing.
According to charging documents, Thomas Dorsey said Bonitto continued arguing with him and got in his face. Dorsey allegedly told police that he told Bonitto he would kill him if Bonitto didn't stop. Police note that later when the comment was brought back up with Dorsey, the defendant changed his statement to say he didn't verbally tell Bonitto he would kill him — that he was only thinking that if Bonitto didn't stop he would kill him, court records state.
Thomas Dorsey allegedly told police he "stuck him," when Bonitto continued arguing and got in his face.
Dorsey told police he didn't stab his son, but that Elijah probably got cut when trying to wrestle the knife from him, court records state.
A knife was found in Dorsey's pocket, court records state.
Anyone with information related to the incident may contact Detective S. Weaver with the city's criminal investigation unit at 301-790-3700, extension 237, or email sweaver@hagerstownpd.org.