Man Brings Knife to Party, Threatens Guests, Police Say

By Jack Tobias

A Christmas party at a Wilson home turned violent when a next-door neighbor who had been drinking alcohol approached another man, pulled a 12-inch kitchen knife from his waistband and declared, "I'm going to f--- you up," court records say.

With the help of others, the second man was able to take the knife-wielding man to the ground and take the knife from him, the records say.

Police charged Samuel Lemar Wright, 35, of 7 N. 20th St., in the aftermath of the Saturday night party at his neighbor's house.

The records say people at the home actually called 911 twice shortly after 10pm. A woman who called the first time said she didn't want police involvement.

But a second call was made just moments later. This time, the woman accused Wright of trying to kick down her front door, but he did not succeed. Before going back inside his home, he yelled -- in a statement similar to the one from the alleged knife incident -- "I'm going to f--- your husband up in the morning."

Borough Officer Shane M. Gessner, who responded to the second 911 call, was told by the man allegedly threatened with the knife that Wright was at the home for a Christmas party. The man said Wright was drinking when he and Wright got into a verbal argument.

The alleged knife threat happened when the man was in the kitchen, Gessner writes in a criminal complaint. The man asked Wright to leave multiple times but he refused. Wright then pulled the knife, the man told Gessner.

Wright was charged with simple assault, terroristic threats and disorderly conduct. He was arraigned Sunday by on-duty District Judge James Narlesky of Hanover Township (Northampton County) and committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $10,000 bail.