Man charged with attempted murder after Orleans stabbing

Police have charged an Ottawa man with attempted murder after a stabbing at an Orleans home on Wednesday.

Carson Morin, 20, is charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon dangerous to public peace. He appeared in court on Thursday by video and only said "thank you" at the end of his brief appearance.

Michael Wassill, 21, was stabbed once in the neck, severing an artery, at about 1:45 p.m. Wednesday at his home on Fernleaf Crescent.

His family said Wassill had agreed to let a female friend stay with him to help her get away from an unwanted relationship. Wassill's father, a diplomat, was in Jordan and not at the home at the time. He is now en route to Ottawa.

According to Wassill's family, another man then showed up at the home in Ottawa's east end and attacked the woman, according to family members.

Wassill came to her aid and was stabbed and the other man fled the home.

Police arrested a male suspect about two hours later.

Doctors operated on Wassill to repair the damaged artery. The hospital said there was no change in his condition overnight.

Uncle calls victim a 'hero'

Wassil's uncle, Paul Champ,went to the Ottawa courthouse to see the man accused of stabbing his nephew.

"Michael is out of the woods right now but he remains in critical condition and we'll be following the case," he said.

"He's a hero and we're all very proud of him. His friend whose life was in danger has contacted family and has thanked them, saying he saved her life. So, right now we're all just praying that he's going to be able to recover from this," said Champ.