Man charged in motel stabbing

JACKSON, Tenn.–Jackson Police have charged a man with attempted first degree murder in connection to a Thursday stabbing.

Court documents said Rodney Alan Kiefner stabbed Johnathan Rutan, of Columbus Georgia multiple times at the Super 8 motel located off the Highway 45 Bypass and Carriage House Drive.

According to the affidavit, Rutan and Kiefner were sharing the motel room with another co-worker.

The third man told investigators he was asleep and “woke up as Rutan screamed for help,” before pulling Kiefner off the victim. Investigators said they recovered a bloody knife on the bed that was used in the attack.

Rutan was treated at a local hospital for lacerations to his throat, abdomen, arms and hands as well as surgery for internal bleeding, the affidavit states.

No possible motive is named in the charging documents, but it does state,”it was discovered Kiefner had purchased two bottles of bleach, a box of rubber gloves, and stain remover after work and prior to returning to the super 8 motel.”

Kiefner is expected to be arraigned in Jackson City Court Monday morning