Editor’s note: In December 2023, a Vermont family court judge dismissed the case against Mercer after finding that he had acted in self-defense.
A reported road rage incident that occurred a week ago has resulted in a Bolton man facing criminal charges, while the man he is accused of stabbing remains hospitalized, according to Vermont State Police.
William Mercer, 19, of Bolton, is due to appear in Chittenden County Superior criminal court in Burlington on Tuesday for arraignment on charges of aggravated assault, aggravated disorderly conduct and negligent driving, state police stated in a news release issued Thursday.
Police allege Mercer stabbed Travis McGrath, 38, also of Bolton, several times in the abdomen and torso during the incident, which occurred June 16 at about 9:45 p.m. It was unclear from the release why the stabbing was not reported earlier.
McGrath was taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington for what were determined to be serious, life-threatening injuries, according to police. He remains hospitalized in stable condition, police said.
Police said they responded to the area of Country Club Drive in Bolton for what was initially reported as a road-rage incident that began on Nashville Road in Jericho.
When they arrived, police said, they located Mercer, who stated he was involved “in an altercation” with another man, later identified as McGrath.
After an investigation and in consultation with the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office, the release stated, Mercer was issued a citation Thursday on the criminal charges.
No additional information was available Thursday.
Correction: Due to inaccurate information provided by police, an earlier version of this story misstated Mercer’s age at the time of his arrest.
