Woman accused of stabbing will not be indicted

PALMER -- A Palmer grand jury on Wednesday refused to indict a Wasilla woman for stabbing her husband in the stomach with a kitchen knife this summer.

Margaret Smith, 54, had been charged with second-degree assault in May for stabbing her husband of 11 years, Bruce Smith.

"The grand jury heard testimony from Mr. and Mrs. Smith and felt there wasn't enough evidence to convict," Palmer District Attorney Roman Kalytiak said Friday afternoon.

On May 30, state troopers responded to a call from a neighbor that Bruce had been stabbed after an argument with his wife.

Bruce told Alaska State Trooper Ron Hayes the argument started because his wife "is crazy," according to court documents.

Margaret told Hayes they were arguing because Bruce said she "didn't get the right barbecue sauce at the store." She also claimed her husband came up from behind her while she was unloading the dishwasher and grabbed her arms, saying something to the effect that "she was not a good wife," troopers reported.

Kalytiak said the two had been drinking that day and were both intoxicated.

Although the grand jury failed to indict his wife Wednesday, Bruce is seeking a restraining order against Margaret, who has been out on bail for five months. A hearing on the restraining order is scheduled for next week.

Assault and murder charges were brought against Margaret Smith in Oregon 18 years ago, but she was not convicted of those charges.

"This is unconstitutional," Bruce said Friday afternoon. "I'm trying to get a restraining order because I don't trust her. She scares me, she could've killed me."

Contact John Davidson at john.davidson@frontiersman.com.