Jury Trial for Wausau Man Accused of Stabbing an Acquaintance Rescheduled

Friday, February 2nd, 2024 -- 12:00 PM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) The jury trial for a Wausau man accused of stabbing an acquaintance last spring has been rescheduled.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, Jason Hopinka was scheduled for a two-day trial on February 19th and 20th, but that was rescheduled for July 10th through the 12th.

He faces felony counts for recklessly endangering safety and aggravated battery along with a misdemeanor charge for bail jumping. Police say he stabbed another man in a home on S. 4th Avenue last May, then left the scene.

Police were called to the home in the early morning hours of May 12th to find it empty, then a few hours later a stabbing victim presented themselves at a local hospital. Officers connected the victim with the report, and immediately named Hopinka as a person of interest. He was arrested later in the day in the Town of Ringle.

Court records show the 41-year-old Hopinka hired a new attorney in early January, making a late February trial impossible. Hopinka has been free on a $10,000 cash bond while he awaits trial with several stipulations related to visitation of his children and a full no-contact order with the victim.

He returns to court on May 13th for a status conference. A jury status hearing will be held in June. He faces up to 18.5 years in prison if found guilty on both felony charges.

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