La Crosse man accused of stabbing victim 45 times in fatal apartment fight

A La Crosse County murder suspect is accused of fatally stabbing another man more than 40 times during a fight, after both men had been drinking.

Bryant Q. Smith faces life in prison if he’s convicted of 1st degree murder, in the attack that occurred in his downtown apartment at Stokke Tower on December 5th. The 50-year-old Smith appeared in court by video from the county jail on Friday.

Smith claims that the victim was “blackout drunk” and tried to choke him, and that he defended himself with a knife. An autopsy determined that the victim had 45 cut wounds on his head, neck, and back.

Smith told police that he used a knife with a 7-inch blade to attack the victim. Bond was set this week at $500,000 cash. Smith has another hearing on December 18th.