Erie man arraigned on all charges

He said Wednesday that a city police detective, Joel M. Barnett, told investigators that Michelle Hanson was nagging him when he grabbed a large knife and stabbed her at their east Erie home on Sept. 5.

Barnett then called 911. Barnett told the 911 operator that there was a stabbing victim and “I’m the suspect,” prosecutors told the court early Wednesday afternoon.

police at 762 E. Ninth St., according to an Erie police patrol officer. He came to his number minutes later and found Barnett on the porch and Hanson in the entryway, bleeding from stab wounds, he testified.

Hanson, 40, was pronounced dead less than an hour later at UPMC Hamot.

Barnett, 40, was charged by Erie police with murder, first-degree murder, aggravated assault and other crimes in Hanson’s death. He was arraigned on all charges and remanded to the Erie County Jail without bond following a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

What caused the stabbing?

Erie police Detective Sgt. Patrick Ginkel testified that, under questioning by First Assistant District Attorney Jessica Reger, Barnett told him that he and Hanson had been out with another person the previous evening and had consumed some alcohol before he and Hanson returned to 762 E. Ninth St. Barnett stated that there was no incident. Ginkel testified that there were real arguments while they were out or when they returned home, but Hanson said she was nagging.

The detective also said Barnett stated that Hanson “didn’t foresee this happening.”

An autopsy revealed Hanson had three stab wounds on the left side of his torso, as well as wounds on his left elbow and left wrist, Ginkel said. The cause of death was stated to be multiple stab wounds.

A city police patrol testified that police were told that the knife used in the stabbing, which Barnett described in the 911 call as a curved blade about 13 inches long, was found on top of a freezer next to where officers found Hanson. The officer said the woman was unresponsive on the ground but was still breathing.

Under questioning by Barnett’s court-appointed attorney, Bruce Sandmeyer, Ginkel said Barnett was very talkative during his interview with detectives and that his demeanor only changed briefly when he was told Hanson was dead. When Sandmeyer asked if Barnett had any remorse for his actions, Ginkel said yes, but not for Hanson but more for himself.

When Sandmeyer asked Ginkel if Barnett had discussed any mental health issues, the detective said he had and mentioned he was on medication. Sandmeyer asked if Barnett had discussed his diagnosis, including whether he had a problem with schizophrenia, but Ginkel said he did not recall any specific details provided by Barnett.

Contact Tim Hahn at: [email protected]. Follow him on X @ETNhahn.

What caused the stabbing?

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