Sioux Falls man charged in fatal stabbing of Vermillion man

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – Sioux Falls police say the fatal stabbing of a Vermillion man was the result of a botched drug deal.

Twenty-five-year-old Christopher Michael Wood of Sioux Falls has been charged with murder, manslaughter and other felonies in the death of Zachary Adam Barta.

Barta was stabbed once in the chest Wednesday, and died at a Sioux Falls hospital. Wood was arrested later Wednesday after a foot chase. Court documents say that while he was running, Wood discarded a knife that appeared to have dried blood on the blade.

Wood refused to make his initial court appearance Thursday. It wasn’t immediately clear if he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

Three other suspects charged with lesser offenses made their initial appearances Thursday.

AP-WF-08-09-19