Parolee Accused Of Stabbing Brother Hadn't Slept In 4 Days: Cops

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A parolee was arrested Sunday night on suspicion of stabbing his brother in front of their family home in South Santa Rosa, according to a Sonoma County sheriff's official. Gary Pickard, 34, may have been under the influence of methamphetamine when he stabbed his brother with a folding knife, sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Crum further alleged.

Sheriff's deputies responded to the scene after dispatchers received a call at about 5:30 p.m. about the incident at a home in the 800 block of Yuba Drive, Crum said in a news release.

The 28-year-old victim told deputies that when he and his girlfriend sat down on a couch on the front porch of the residence, they felt burning sensations on their skin because Pickard had previously sprayed it with pepper spray.

"The victim then engaged in a verbal altercation with Pickard in front of their home at which point Pickard pulled out and unfolded a knife," Crum said. "He then stabbed his brother twice, once in a forearm and once in the back at the shoulder blade. They continued to yell at each other while family members called 911."

Deputies determined that Pickard, his brother, mother, grandmother and the victim’s girlfriend all live together in the home.

"Pickard was suspected of using methamphetamine and hadn’t slept in about four days," Crum said. "On Saturday he took his grandmother’s car without permission and later returned it. An argument ensued about his use of the car but ended peacefully."

But things apparently escalated Sunday when Pickard's younger brother suffered two stab wounds: one to his forearm and another to his shoulder blade.

The victim identified his older brother as the person who stabbed him, Crum said.

"Pickard was on scene and cooperated with deputies who were able to take him into custody peacefully," Crum said.

An ambulance crew was staged in the area and responded quickly to treat the victim before taking him to a local hospital, where Crum said he was expected to survive his injuries.

The elder Pickard was booked into Sonoma County jail where he was being held without bail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and a parole hold, Crum said.

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