Seventeen-year-old Etwan Wilson wanted to go to suspected serial killer Elias Abuelazam’s hearing Tuesday, but his stabbing wounds left him too sick. He spoke to NBC25 before he left for surgery Tuesday afternoon.
“It is scary,” he said while sitting on his front porch. “I don’t want to go to get surgery, but I know I have to.”
Wilson said doctors told him he has a dangerous amount of fluid on his lungs.
Meantime, in court, lawyers met with the judge to discuss the case of the man Wilson said stabbed him.
Abuelazam is charged with assault with intent to murder in connection with the stabbing of another man, but police say he stabbed as many as 14 men in Genesee County, killing five. The 33-year-old Abuelazam is also a suspect in three attacks in Virginia and one in Ohio.
During the court hearing, the prosecution gave defense lawyers about 200 pages and a CD as evidence in the assault case.
The defense waived Abuelazam’s right to a preliminary exam within 14 days, saying they could use more time to review the evidence.
The defendant was not in the court room for any of it. He remained in the Genesee County Jail. Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell made the decision not to move him for this hearing, saying it is too risky to do so without a complete jail lock-down.
Stabbing victim Richard Booker showed up at court hoping to look the man, who he says attacked him, in the eye.
“I would love to see him,” said Booker as he stood with a cane.
He says Abuelazam has left him permanently “crippled.” He says the attack carved up his liver, severed nerves in his arms and left him unconscious for days.
He left the courthouse to take his wife to work after learning the hearing would begin late and Abuelazam would not be in the courtroom.
He’s eager for the day the suspected serial killer is charged with stabbing him, but is patient.
“I know things are going to take a long time. There is just no way around that. They’ve got to be sure.”
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton says he expects to file more charges in September.
