Portland man accused of stabbing roommate in the chest, prosecutors allege

Melissa Morgan believes a visit to Lucky Lucky Bar in Southeast Portland saved her life.

After trying for weeks to talk to his roommate about his behavior, Morgan wrote down his concerns in a letter and gave it to him when they were both at their neighborhood bar on Dec. 28, he said.

But it didn’t work: Stanley Polinsky threw the paper on the floor, Morgan said, cursed her and told her he was moving out that day. He left the bar and Morgan decided to stay there until he moved his things out of the apartment and returned to give him his key, Morgan said.

Morgan, 46, was sitting outside in the bar’s smoking area a few hours later when Polinsky approached her and stabbed her in the chest, she said. She looked down and saw holes in her chest, she started to feel dizzy and closed her eyes.

Portland police arrested Polinsky on the day of the alleged stabbing. He faces charges of attempted murder, first- and second-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon. He stabbed Morgan five to six times, court records allege. Morgan said he has four stab wounds, including two in the sternum and one in his left hand.

When police arrived at the bar, at 545 SE 162nd Ave, they found witnesses pressing a towel against Morgan’s stab wounds, according to court records. Paramedics took her by ambulance to OHSU Hospital, where she remained until New Year’s Day, Morgan said.

Morgan said he thought he was going to die and that his life was “flashing before his eyes.” But ultimately his injuries could have been much worse, he said.

She credits her visit to Lucky Lucky Bar with saving her life. Had she returned home after the altercation with her roommate, Morgan said she believes she could have died. And because the alleged attack occurred in a crowded bar, there were people there to help her right away, she said. Surveillance video shows that bystanders at the bar tried to intervene to stop Polinsky, according to court records.

Morgan returned to Lucky Lucky Bar on Saturday for happy hour. One of the owners gave her flowers and a hug.

Polinsky’s arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday. Morgan plans to attend, he said.

— Fedor Zarkhin is a business and breaking news reporter. Do you have a story? Reach him by phone or text at 971-373-2905 or by email at [email protected].

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