Man accused in officer attack indicted

SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - A man accused of attacking a Suffolk Police officer during a traffic stop in May has been indicted on nearly a dozen charges relating to the attack.

According to Veronica Dordan with Suffolk Criminal Courts, Joseph Staton, 43, of Portsmouth was indicted on charges of attempted capital murder of a police office, malicious wounding, aggravated malicious wounding, third offense larceny, forgery of a public record, shoot, stab, cut or wound in the commission of a felony, attempting to disarm a police officer, grand larceny of a motor vehicle, statutory burglary and grand larceny from a person.

On May 19, Officer James Winslow responded to a call for a stolen vehicle. Dash cam video showed a man identified as Staton fleeing the vehicle. Officials say Winslow chased Staton into a wooded area, where Staton then assaulted Winsow with a blunt object, leaving him unconscious and fighting for his life.

Winslow was flown by Nightingale to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and continues to recover from his injuries, but has not rejoined the department.

An arraignment has been scheduled for Oct. 3.