The trial of a Potomac man who prosecutors say stabbed two people in a Westfield Montgomery Mall parking lot last November could wrap up on Monday.
David B. Goldberg, 25, is facing multiple charges of attempted murder and assault following the apparent road rage incident on Nov. 14 in the parking lot near the Macy’s entrance to the mall.
Police said Goldberg and the victims could be heard shouting expletives at each other before the stabbing happened. The argument stemmed from Goldberg’s vehicle almost hitting the victim’s vehicle at a stop sign on the ring road that circles the mall.
According to court documents, victims Rachel Peterson and her boyfriend Clifton Botts followed Goldberg and got out of their car to approach Goldberg in his Mitsubishi, but Goldberg sped off. After the couple parked in a nearby parking lot and started walking to the Sears store with Peterson’s mother and child, the victims heard Goldberg racing toward them.
Goldberg hit a parked car in the process, according to court documents, before again arguing with Botts and stabbing Botts in the upper back, left cheek and right bicep. Goldberg reportedly stabbed Peterson in the stomach as she was trying to break up the fight, sending her to the hospital with serious injuries.
Police said Goldberg then fled to the top of a nearby parking deck, where he was taken into custody and where police found a five-inch a folding knife which they believed to be the weapon.
Goldberg’s two-year-old daughter was in his car the whole time, police said.
Goldberg was formally charged with two counts of attempted first degree murder, two counts of attempted second degree murder and seven counts of first degree assault.
His defense presented his case on Friday in Montogmery County Circuit Court. The Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office expects closing arguments starting at about 10:30 a.m. on Monday with a verdict possible for Monday afternoon.
Goldberg photo via Montgomery County Police
