A Clearfield man charged with manslaughter in the stabbing death of his brother will go to trial in 2nd District court March 22.
Michael J. Ruiz, 21, has pleaded not guilty to the charge, a second-degree felony, in the Aug. 20 death of his brother, Anthony Ruiz, 31.The two had been arguing and fighting through the day, according to court records, and the fight culminated around 5 p.m. after Anthony Ruiz had left the house and then returned, telling Michael Ruiz, "I'm going to get you." Michael, according to a witness, replied, "We might as well do it now," and the fatal struggle began.
A medical examiner testified at the preliminary hearing that Anthony Ruiz suffered a 6-inch deep stab wound from a steak knife that pierced his liver, injured a kidney, and cut a major blood vessel.
Although the knife involved in the fight had only a 4-inch blade, assistant medical examiner Ed Leis testified the deep wound resulted from the force used in the assault.
Anthony Ruiz was taken to an Ogden hospital and died several hours after the fight from loss of blood and other injuries, Leis testified.