Jefferson City man arrested for stabbing girlfriend, another woman

A Jefferson City man is behind bars after stabbing two women early Thursday morning.

32-year-old Michael Lutz accused his ex-fiance, 27-year-old Amanda Shelton, of stealing a washer and dryer from his storage unit to pay his bail when he was in jail on prior domestic abuse.

The couple began fighting in the 900 block of Harding Avenue, when Lutz cut Shelton’s throat. Shelton claimed Lutz was high on meth at the time of the attack.

“I sold the washer and dryer to get him out of jail. I got choked, my hair pulled, and a knife across my throat,” said Shelton.

44-year-old Tammy Case and another man attempted to break up the fight by hitting Lutz with a chair, but during the scuffle Lutz dragged Shelton into a crawl space and slashed her throat with a box cutter. Lutz also stabbed Case in the back, injuring her.

Shelton says she has advice for others in abusive relationships; “I know its hard to get out. Although they frighten you, you get out and run. Get somewhere safe and put a restraining order on them or cal the cops they’re here to help.”

According to Shelton, Lutz drove himself to the hospital claiming he had been beaten up by Shelton. He was later arrested by Jefferson City police.

Captain Doug Shoemaker of the Jefferson City Police Department says the department has programs in place to help victims of domestic assault.

“We have victim services. We make every victim aware of possible services after the incident occurs so that they don’t feel like they’re alone in a situation or they can’t escape the cycle of violence,” said Shoemaker.

Lutz has a history of abuse toward Shelton.

He faces charges of second degree assault and first degree domestic assault, and is currently being held in the Cole County jail.

Both victims are in stable condition.