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Alderwood Mall stabbing suspect in court

Jodie Taylor, 19, is accused in a Christmas Eve stabbing at Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood.

EVERETT, Wash. - A man jailed for investigation of a Christmas Eve stabbing at Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood appeared before a judge Tuesday, and bail was set at $250,000.

Authorities say the victim, a bystander, intervened to break up a fight between Jodie Taylor, 19, and another young man.

The stabbing happened in the mall near JC Penney about 5 p.m. When officers arrived at the scene, they found the suspect detained by a bystander and mall security.

The victim, who is in his mid-30s, was found with a single stab wound to the back and was quickly taken to the hospital and treated.

According to probable cause documents, Taylor told police it was self-defense.

His mother, who was at the mall during the incident, on Tuesday told a judge her son has high-functioning autism.

"When he's in a crowd, things happen," Laura Taylor said.

According to court papers, Laura Taylor also told police she believed her son was on Xanax. which caused him to act irrationally.

Taylor is being held for investigation of first degree assault.

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