UTICA, Mich. – A 70-year-old Utica man facing charges related to a November 2025 stabbing had his case dismissed in a Macomb County courthouse on Wednesday.
Joseph Vanker was originally charged as a repeat offender and arraigned for assault with intent to murder for allegedly stabbing someone multiple times at his home on Nov. 25.
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After hearing testimony at a preliminary hearing on Feb. 26, 2026, 41A District Judge Michael Sierawski decided to bind Vanker over to circuit court on a lesser charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder.
The assault with intent to commit great bodily harm charge was dismissed on June 10 by Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Toia, after Vanker pleaded no contest to a lesser charge of felony assault with a dangerous weapon, according to the prosecutor’s office. Habitual offender charges were also dismissed in the case.
Vanker was sentenced to 156 days in jail, with 156 days credit for time served.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Vanker’s initial charge of attempted murder was reduced due to a plea deal, however the charge was reduced by the court based on testimony heard during a preliminary hearing.