CLEARLAKE OAKS — The fifth suspect in an assault case that occurred last week in Clearlake Oaks has come forward. The incident involved a fight between several subjects during which one person had been stabbed.
James Thomas Hubman, 18, of Clearlake Oaks, was being sought for questioning in relation to the incident. Hubman has reportedly contacted authorities and admitted to his involvement in the fight, which took place on July 31 just after midnight.
According to a press release issued on Wednesday by Lake County Sheriff Chief Deputy Jim Bauman, Hubman has provided a statement not only admitting to his involvement in the fight but also to being the one responsible for inflicting the stab wound sustained by Jason Allard, 32, of Clearlake Oaks.
When deputies responded the night of the incident they had contacted Allard in front of his residence on Schindler Street. Allard had a towel wrapped around his waist and had reportedly told deputies that he had been stabbed.
According to a previous report by Bauman, the fight had apparently started when Allard and two friends confronted a group of at least five subjects. One of the subjects reportedly threw rocks at Allard”s residence on Schindler. An argument had ensued and escalated to the point of Allard retrieving a cane from his home. The group had reportedly charged at Allard one-by-one and several of them had been struck with the cane Allard was in possession of.
The report had stated that at one point Allard lost control of the cane and when he attempted to retrieve it from the ground, several of the subjects reportedly jumped on him.
According to the release issued on Wednesday, Hubman told sheriff detectives that when Allard dove to the ground to retrieve the cane, “he was afraid Allard would resume using the cane as a weapon so he tried to stab him in the thigh with a pocket knife but struck him once in the lower back instead.”
Four individuals including three juveniles and one male adult were arrested in connection with the incident shortly after it occurred. Ernest Raymond Knight, 19, along with three unidentified juveniles, were arrested July 31 on misdemeanor charges of battery.
The case has been closed and submitted to the District Attorney for review and possible complaint against Hubman for felony assault with a deadly weapon.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
