POLICE: Argument Between Horse-Racing Jockeys Leads to Stabbing in Grants Pass

GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- A 49-year-old Pendleton man was stabbed Monday night on South Park Street and a Portland man is under arrest.

Grants Pass police report that 48-year-old James R. "Jim Bob" Whiteside of Schmear Road in Portland, was arrested in the stabbing of Vern D. "Punky" Bronson of River Road in Pendleton. Bronson was listed in stable condition at Three Rivers Community Hospital this morning.

Grants Pass Department of Public Safety got a 9-1-1 call at approximately 7:12 PM from a man who said his friend had been stabbed in the abdomen and was bleeding. Though two people were initially detained by police, one was quickly released when police confirmed he was not involved in the stabbing. 

Police say Whiteside and Bronson are acquainted through their participation in the horse racing circuit currently in Grants Pass. Both have raced as jockeys in the circuit. Whiteside and Bronson were arguing prior to the stabbing, police reported.

Whiteside was arrested on a charge of second-degree assault. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Detective Division of the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety at (541) 474-6370.