AUGUSTA — When police arrived at the 78 Gage St. apartment house Friday night, they found a bleeding, shirtless man in the hallway.

Donald R. Ladson, 45, had stab wounds in middle of his back and left shoulder, and was locked out of his apartment, according to an affidavit filed by Augusta Police Officer Anthony Drouin in Kennebec County Superior Court.

Inside the apartment, police found Ladson’s roommate, Ariana Lee Doherty, 27, in bed under blankets.

Ladson told police that Doherty, with whom he had been living for six months, had stabbed him as he left the room following an argument over his arriving home late and drunk.

He also said Doherty “had thrusted a lit cigarette into his eye, but he stated he believes she did it by accident.”

Drouin reported that Ladson had bruises on his eyes and neck and his right eye was swollen shut.

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As Ladson was being treated by Augusta Rescue, he told Drouin “he still loved Doherty and didn’t want to see her in trouble,” Drouin said in the affidavit.

Ladson was treated at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta, where he told police a doctor said he needed surgery for a collapsed lung.

Doherty remained in Kennebec County jail on Monday, charged with elevated aggravated assault in the incident.

At Doherty’s initial hearing Monday, a judge in Kennebec County Superior Court set bail at $20,000 cash, with conditions that Doherty have no contact with Ladson, no use or possession of drugs and alcohol, and that she adhere to a curfew of 8 p.m.-6 a.m.

Betty Adams — 621-5631badams@centralmaine.comTwitter: @betadams


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