Teen accused in stabbing makes court appearance

Adam Mallamo, 19, Lawrence, was charged with attempted second-degree murder and had his first court appearance Thursday. Mallamo is accused of stabbing a homeless man in the chest with a knife, while at the Lawrence Community Shelter, 214 W. 10th St. Police said the victim, who was staying at the shelter, is recovering at a Kansas City hospital.

Judge Peggy Kittel set Mallamo’s bond at $500,000. He is to appear in court again at 2 p.m. May 13.

Assistant District Attorney Dave Melton asked for $850,000 bond, saying Mallamo is a threat to the community and a flight risk because he has few ties with the Lawrence area.

When asked by Kittel if he had anything to say before she set his bond, Mallamo said, “I do apologize.”

If he’s convicted of the charge he faces a maximum sentence of 247 months in prison and maximum fine of $300,000.

Mallamo had been playing chess at the homeless shelter before the stabbing, LCS director Loring Henderson said, though the victim was not his opponent and the stabbing was not a result of the game.

The suspect lives in a Lawrence apartment. Mallamo went to the shelter as a homeless person last December, but never stayed overnight, Henderson said.

“Some people who are housed, if they are by themselves, get desperately lonely,” Henderson said. “So, they just come out to socialize.”

Henderson said the shelter only allows known homeless people to socialize at the shelter.

“The idea is to get out of here,” said Henderson, adding that it’s difficult for some people to transition from the homeless lifestyle.

“A lot of people kind of come and go who are not homeless,” he said.