A man has been arrested in connection with a stabbing Tuesday morning in Long Branch, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said on Wednesday.

Michael Smith, 43, of Brick, is charged with first-degree attempted murder, two counts of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and two counts of second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, in connection with the stabbing of a 34-year-old Brick Township woman.

A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Long Branch Police Department revealed that on Feb. 5 at 9:39 a.m., Long Branch Police Officer Robert Korn responded to a stabbing incident.  

When Officer Korn arrived, he observed the suspect, Michael Smith, swinging and grabbing at the victim, who was lying on the ground. Korn was able to pull Smith off of the victim and place him under arrest.

Smith was armed with two knives during the assault and had stabbed the victim multiple times in the chest and head. The victim was taken to the hospital where she is listed in stable condition. 

If convicted of attempted murder, Smith faces 20 years in a New Jersey state prison without parole. Both the murder and attempted murder charges are subject to the provisions of the No Early Release Act (NERA), requiring him to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for release on parole. He would also be under parole supervision for five years following his release from state prison. 

If convicted of the second-degree weapons offenses, Smith faces a sentence up to 10 years in prison on each charge.  

Smith is scheduled to have his initial appearance on Feb. 11 in Superior Court with a detention hearing to immediately follow. 

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office