Reckless homicide charge filed after fatal stabbing in Lac du Flambeau

The names of the two men involved in a fatal stabbing during the early morning hours of Aug. 19 at a residence in Lac du Flambeau have been released.

According to T.J. Bill, chief of the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department, Joshua J. Hart, 38, died after being stabbed with a large butcher knife. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at Howard Young Medical Center. 

Witnesses at the scene identified Hart’s assailant, who had fled prior to the arrival of law enforcement, according to a press release issued by the police department.

Matthew L. T. Allen, Jr., 20, was later arrested.

On Monday, Vilas County circuit judge Daniel Overbey found probable cause to hold Allen in the Vilas County jail and set his bond at $100,000. 

On Wednesday, Allen was formally charged with first-degree reckless homicide with a dangerous weapon, a Class B felony carrying a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.

According to the complaint, Hart made a “dying declaration” identifying Allen as the person who stabbed him.

“Just inside the front door (of the residence) investigating officers located an 8-inch steel butcher knife,” the complaint states. “Blood spatter and bloody shoe prints were observed on the floor inside the house.”

In a post-arrest interview with investigators, Allen insisted that he did not intend to stab Hart. 

“The defendant stated that he knows (Hart) through (Hart’s) relationship with the defendant’s mother. The defendant stated that (Hart) was ‘disrespecting’ him,” the complaint states. “The defendant stated that he and (Hart) began to argue but there was no physical altercation. The defendant stated that he backed into the kitchen to retrieve a knife. The defendant stated that he ran to the front door. The defendant stated that he opened the door and then turned around. The defendant stated that he held the knife up to (Hart), keeping the handle close to his chest. The defendant then stated that (Hart) tried to grab him, and when that happened (the knife) sticks in him.”