Prosecutors might try to put a Casper man behind bars for the rest of his life, in a case in which he's accused of holding a knife to another person's throat and slashing his cheek.

Forty-eight year old James Emerson has been charged with one count of aggravated assault, but prosecutors might seek an enhanced criminal penalty as well.

Investigators with the Casper Police Department say during the early morning hours on Thursday, March 20th, Emerson was drinking at the victim's residence on Burlington Avenue and got into an argument with another person.

He eventually left and went home, but left his cell phone behind.

The victim told investigators that after he returned it, Emerson jumped him from behind, and put a knife to his neck, saying he was going to slit his throat.

During the struggle, the victim was slashed in the cheek, with an engraved pocket knife.

When questioned by police, Emerson said he could not remember anything about the altercation.

Officers later found the engraved knife and noticed Emerson had blood on his clothes.

He is being held on $75,000 bond awaiting trial, and would normally face up to 10 years in prison on the aggravated assault charge if convicted, but an habitual criminal tag, could keep him behind bars for life.

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