Bail Increased for Westport Man Accused of Stabbing RI Store Employee

The Westport man accused of stabbing a pharmacy employee in Rhode Island last month had his bail amount doubled Friday in Superior Court.

The Providence Journal is reporting that 41-year-old Jacob Gallant's bail was increased to $200,000 at an arraignment at Kent County Superior Court, at which Gallant pleaded not guilty. His bail had originally been set at $100,000 in district court, when it was revealed that Gallant, distraught over the recent death of his grandmother, had bought a large knife and planned to murder the first person he saw by stabbing them in the heart.

Gallant had been reported missing the day before by family members. It was later revealed he had driven to Baltimore and attempted to take his own life. On his way back, he stopped and purchased the knife, and is alleged to have stabbed 18-year-old Alyssa Garcia at a Rite-Aid in Warwick, Rhode Island before a customer and another store employee intervened.

Westport Police say Gallant has no previous criminal record.