JONESVILLE — Keith Stickley, the attorney representing a Jonesville man charged with attempted murder in connection with the Dec. 23 stabbing of his ex-girlfriend, requested preliminary hearings in the case be adjourned to allow time for discovery.

Stickley sat next to his client, Dustin Thomas Collins, 20, on Wednesday, Feb. 7, as he made the request, noting that he would “need significant time for discovery” in the case punishable by up to life in prison.

A continued probable cause conference has been tentatively scheduled for 10 a.m. April 24 in the matters.

Collins is charged with stabbing his ex-girlfriend, the mother of his child, over a dozen times in the face and head with a pocket knife.

The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. Dec. 23, when Collins allegedly stabbed the 19-year-old female during a domestic dispute, according to witnesses on the scene.

During an interview with the Michigan State Police following his arrest, Collins told police he changed his mind on wanting to kill her after he had started stabbing her and that he called 911 himself to report the crime, according to Hillsdale County Prosecutor Neal Brady.

Subscribe Now: For all the latest local developments, breaking news and high school sports content.

Reportedly, the couple had a volatile relationship and had recently parted ways, neighbors said.

Medical first responders with the Hillsdale City Fire Department and paramedics with Reading Emergency Unit responded to the incident and the female was transported to Hillsdale Hospital; she has since been released.

— Contact Reporter Corey Murray at cmurray@hillsdale.net or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @cmurrayHDN.

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Court hearings in Jonesville stabbing case adjourned again