Lawyer is suspected of attempting to stab process server

By DENISSE SALAZAR The Orange County Register Friday, July 17, 2009

SANTA ANA – A lawyer who was being served with civil court papers is behind bars after police said he tried to stab the process server with a “large hunting knife.” The server called police shortly before 10 p.m. Thursday to report that a man at a residence at 2230 North Towner St. threatened him and then tried to stab him, said Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna. “The victim fled to avoid being stabbed,” Bertagna said. The knife-wielding suspect, Ralph Gibson Pagter Jr., 49, of Santa Ana, went inside his home after the incident. Officers called him and ordered him to come out of his home. He surrendered peacefully, Bertagna said. The large hunting knife was recovered. Pagter is being held at the Orange County Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. According to the California Bar Association Web site, Pagter has been an active member since 1984.