Man denies assisted living stabbing death

BUTTE — A 72-year-old resident of a Butte assisted living facility has denied charges that he stabbed another resident to death last month.

John Edwards Grubbs Sr., 72, pleaded not guilty Thursday to felony deliberate homicide. His public defenders say they plan to question Grubbs’ competency to stand trial in the death of 72-year-old Jerry Diltz.

Charging documents say the two men had been drinking together at the facility early on March 19 when they began to argue about money. Prosecutors allege Grubbs repeatedly stabbed Diltz with a large butcher knife.

Grubbs remains jailed with bail set at $250,000.