Stabbing took place in an argument over a beer

An Albert Lea man pleaded guilty Friday in Freeborn County District Court to stabbing his brother in July.

Timothy Andrew Bakke, 23, pleaded guilty to felony domestic assault in front of Freeborn County District Court Judge Ross Leuning.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 7.

According to court documents, Albert Lea police responded to an apartment July 1 on Front Street on a report of a stabbing.

Upon arrival, the victim reportedly told an officer that Bakke stabbed him.

The two reportedly lived together and were arguing over sharing a beer.

The victim said Bakke stabbed him in the upper thigh with a metal steak knife. The officer reportedly observed a wound on the victim’s right thigh and noted an approximately 1-inch wound on the victim’s right thigh.

The victim was transported to the emergency room for treatment.

According to court documents, a witness, a cousin of the brothers, said Bakke and the victim had been drinking and smoking marijuana and the victim was bugging Bakke all night. The witness said Bakke went into the kitchen, got a sharp butter knife, went up to the victim and stabbed him once in the leg. Bakke reportedly then told him not to tell anyone.

The witness called 911.

According to court documents, Bakke has a prior conviction of misdemeanor domestic assault and two counts of fourth-degree assault.

Bakke was originally charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, but that charge was dismissed with the plea deal.

He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.