Bail set at $500,000 for Ferndale man accused of stabbing wife in chest during argument over alcohol use

FERNDALE, Wash. (AP) — A 64-year-old Ferndale man accused of stabbing his wife in the chest during an argument over alcohol use has made an initial court appearance.

The Bellingham Herald reports (http://is.gd/AS0ZtC ) that Charles Hendricks Foster is being held in jail in lieu of $500,000 bail. He was arrested last Friday for investigation of attempted murder.

Police say the man called an emergency line to say he wanted to kill his wife, and repeatedly told the dispatcher to "shut up." Police say they think he had been drinking.

Officers arrived five minutes later to find the man's 58-year-old wife had already been stabbed in the right side of her chest. She survived and was released from a hospital Monday.

Ferndale Police Lt. Bill Hatchett says the man contends the couple were arguing about their alcohol use.

Police say couple recently moved from Pierce County to Ferndale.