Not guilty plea in attempted murder case
Skandunas
SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man charged with attempted murder and burglary pleaded not guilty Monday in 1st District Court.
Joshua Carl Skandunas' pleas clear the way for a jury trial in June. He remains held at the Bonner County Jail while the case is pending.
Skandunas, 49, is accused of turning up at a woman's Sandpoint apartment and asking to be let inside to pick up a package on Aug. 29, 2020. Skandunas pulled a butcher knife from behind his back and the woman suffered a defensive wound to her left hand attempting to grab the weapon, according to the affidavit.
Witnesses told Sandpoint Police they saw the alleged victim being chased by Skandunas, who was armed with a butcher knife. Officers located a woman, who took refuge in another apartment, with two stab wounds to her upper torso, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Skandunas allegedly forced his way into the apartment where the woman was hiding, but he was reportedly driven off by the dwelling's resident, court documents indicate.
Skandunas said he may have stabbed the woman, but told police he didn't remember any details about the confrontation.
Attempted murder is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, while burglary is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, according to Idaho Code.
Keith Kinnaird can be reached at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and followed on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.