A man arrested after another man was beaten and knifed while lying in a sleeping bag under the loading dock of a downtown Salt Lake business has been charged with attempted murder.
Frank J. Magbanua, 35, was charged Tuesday in 3rd Circuit Court with attempted criminal homicide, a second-degree felony.Magbanua is accused of clubbing Robert Blankenship, 48, and cutting his throat while Blankenship lay in a sleeping bag in a makeshift transient shelter behind a building at 351 W. 200 South about 7:15 p.m. Saturday.
Witnesses told police they offered the assailant a drink when he walked up to the camp. He declined the drink and said he was "going to kill this guy," police said.
The witnesses said the assailant then picked up a shovel or broom handle and beat Blankenship's face and head. Court records state Magbanua then sliced Blankenship's throat with a knife, leaving a deep wound 2 to 3 inches long.
Blankenship was taken to LDS Hospital in critical and unstable condition for treatment. A nursing supervisor said Blankenship was discharged Tuesday.
Magbanua's bail was set at $50,000.