Stabbing suspect may argue self-defense in high-profile case

Yahoo

09-06-2025

A man charged with stabbing another man during a fight on Elm Street in Manchester in February might argue self-defense as part of the pending case.
Kyle Bisson, 25, of Manchester, faces charges of first-degree assault, attempted first-degree assault and two counts of falsifying physical evidence. His lawyers filed a notice of potential defense that evidence 'may show that he was legally justified in using physical force in self-defense.'
His case became part of a political firestorm after Bisson was released on personal recognizance bail. Gov. Kelly Ayotte and other Republican leaders used his release as a rallying cry for changes to the state's bail laws.
Ayotte signed a bill in March that many politicians say will close a revolving door of criminals being released only to go on to reoffend.
Bisson is set to be arraigned on June 20, according to court records.
The charges stem from an incident in front of Bunny's Convenience store on Elm Street between Bisson and Michael Perry, 42.
Public defender Tom Stonitsch says the notice is being given based on evidence, including police reports, body-worn camera footage and surveillance videos.
'Based upon the facts contained in discovery, the evidence at trial may show that Mr. Bisson used non-deadly & deadly physical force to defend himself from what he reasonably believed was the imminent and/or continued deadly force by M.P,' Stonitsch wrote.
The surveillance video from the store does not have audio, but shows the exchange, according to court documents.
'In the footage, it is clear M.P. was the initial physical aggressor, punching Mr. Bisson. Mr. Bisson then appears to pull a pocket-style knife out from his pocket, but does not advance towards M.P.,' the notice reads. 'However, the knife drops, and as Mr. Bisson goes to pick it up, he is attacked yet again by M.P., this time from behind.'
A police affidavit indicates Perry also called Bisson a racial slur before the stabbing. Perry claimed to have a knife and told police he went into 'combat mode,' the notice reads.
In a rare move, the Hillsborough County Attorney's Office tried to have Bisson's district court bail revoked as part of a civil filing in superior court. Court documents revealed that Bisson has been released without objection from a police prosecutor.
According to the complaint, Bisson stabbed Perry nine times with a pocket knife during the fight with most of the wounds coming as Perry tried to flee.
In an unrelated case, Bisson was convicted of criminal threatening (domestic violence) in October and was given a 60-day sentence suspended for two years.