Granite Falls stabbing suspects make first court appearance

Two Granite Falls men made their first appearances in Yellow Medicine County District Court Tuesday for allegedly stabbing and beating a man Sunday.

Loren Labatte, age 47, and 50-year-old Gordon Labatte are charged with 2nd Degree Assault With a Dangerous Weapon and Aiding and Abetting Assault. Unconditional bail was set at half a million dollars for each man by Judge Thomas Van Hon.

Court records say the men attacked the 45-year-old victim, who is dating Loren Labatte’s ex-wife, at a residence near Granite Falls Sunday afternoon.

The victim was kicked, hit with a hammer, and suffered stab wounds to the rib cage and hip. He is recovering at a Sioux Falls hospital.

(JP Cola, KWLM)