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Lake Geneva man held on $100,000 cash bond

Photo

Damen E. Leroy

ELKHORN — A Lake Geneva man accused of stabbing a man in his Delavan home Saturday could be charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide and arson, police said Monday.

Damen E. Leroy, 31, was being held in Walworth County Jail on $100,000 cash bond.

He is accused of stabbing 47-year-old Arthur Johnsen at Johnsen’s Delavan apartment at 353 Tyrrell Court and setting fire to the property. Johnsen lives in a building of mostly elderly residents.

Johnsen, who was stabbed on the neck, was transported by Delavan paramedics. He was in good condition Monday, police said.

Delavan Police Chief Tim O'Neill said the incident started with an argument between Leroy and Johnsen, who know each other.

Johnsen was arrested at his home by Lake Geneva police about an hour after the incident.

O'Neill said police still are investigating which happened first—the stabbing or the fire.

The blaze caused moderate smoke throughout the apartment building's second and third floors, but the fire was confined to Johnsen’s apartment, O’Neill said. Police and fire personnel helped about 40 residents from the building. They were displaced for about two hours.

Charges have been referred to the Walworth County District Attorney's Office, O’Neill said. Leroy also could be charged with one count of reckless endangerment for each occupant of the apartment complex, he said.

It is unclear if alcohol or drugs were a factor, O'Neill said.