A Liberty Road resident was in stable but guarded condition Wednesday after being stabbed in the neck Tuesday evening. Jerry Hayles, 33, of 527 Liberty Road, was being treated at Natchez Community Hospital. Police said after John Lee Willis, 53, of 1089 McClain Road, Crosby, stabbed him after an argument. The incident happened on Commerce Street between Main and Franklin streets.

&uot;They had an argument Saturday night outside of a bar. Then they saw one another (Tuesday)&uot; said Natchez Police Chief Willie Huff.

&uot;They got in a fight, and John stabbed a man.&uot;

Officers believe Willis stabbed Hayles about three times with a pocketknife shortly after 7 p.m.

When officers arrived at the scene, Hayles was lying on the sidewalk, Huff said.

Willis was arrested that night and charged with aggravated assault.

He was being held on a $10,000 bond Wednesday at the Natchez jail.

If convicted of felony aggravated assault, he faces 20 years in prison.