Father and son were fighting before fatal stabbing at Lincoln home, court docs allege

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A fight between a man and his stepfather led to a fatal stabbing at a Lincoln home on Sunday, an arrest affidavit alleges.

Lincoln Police Chief Teresa Ewins said the stabbing took place around 7:30 p.m. at a home near 60th Street and Baldwin Avenue.

An affidavit filed Monday alleges that Mark Kruger, 59, started punching his stepson, 40-year-old Joseph Kruger, after he “scolded” a child during a gathering.

Mark “reengaged” Joseph several times as he was gathering his things to leave, according to the affidavit.

Joseph then grabbed a steak knife off a nearby table and stabbed Mark, court docs allege.  That knife was later recovered by officers.

Mark – who had a stab wound in his chest – was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

In the affidavit, investigators said Joseph had swelling to the face “consistent with being punched.”  He also had blood on his hands, shirt and pants.

The affidavit says witnesses gave conflicting accounts to police.

Some said Joseph grabbed the knife, then Mark moved toward him. But one said Joseph picked up the knife, walked toward Mark and stabbed him.

Joseph appeared in court Tuesday and was charged with first-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.

A judge set Joseph’s bond at $2 million.