Norwich stabbing case set for trial
NORWICH – A Norwich man charged with stabbing another person during an alleged theft from a parked car maintained his innocence Friday. The defendant refused an offer from prosecutors for a plea deal and possible sentence of 10 years in prison.
Gary L. Nichols Jr., 39, of Norwich was charged with first-degree assault, third-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, petit larceny, trespass, and first-degree escape after he allegedly stabbed a victim in the City of Norwich and attempted to escape police custody.
Nichols was offered a plea deal of first-degree attempted assault, a class C felony, with 10 years in prison followed by five years of probation. There would also be orders of protection for the victims, along with approximately $700 in restitution, but court officials said the may be subject to change.
Chenango County Assistant Public Defender Zachary Wentworth said his client intended to reject the offer and move forward with a trial.
County Court Judge Frank Revoir Jr., said if convicted on the top count of first-degree assault, Nichols could face up to 25 years in prison, followed by five years of probation.
“You understand that currently you’re facing your second violent felony,” said Revoir. “You’re a predicate felon, and that affects the potential sentencing.”
He said the 10 year sentence offered by the Chenango County District Attorney’s Office is the minimum the court could sentence Nichols to if he were to be found guilty at a trial.
“If you are found guilty, I can’t sentence you to anything less than 10 years in prison,” said Revoir.
Revoir said motions would be due by December 2nd of this year, and the trial was tentatively scheduled for February, 2020.
Around the time of the incident, The City of Norwich Police Department reported that Nichols stabbed one victim and bit another during a confrontation around 2 a.m. on July 20 after a vehicle owner reported an ongoing theft from his parked Cadillac.
Police said one victim was stabbed approximately 10 times with a, “orange and camouflaged handle knife." The other victim was bitten in the arm.
Around the time of the incident, Chenango County District Attorney Michael Ferrarese said the two victims were hurt after attempting to stop Nichols from fleeing the area before police arrived.
The Norwich Fire Department was called to the scene for both victims. The officers were able to locate and recover the knife that had been used.
The first victim was transported to Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City for treatment of approximately 10 stab wounds to the head and torso. The second victim was treated at the emergency room of Chenango Memorial Hospital for a bite to the forearm and was then released.
Police said Nichols was also transported to Chenango Memorial in Norwich. While at the hospital police said Nichols escaped and had to be relocated by police.
Police added that he was found after approximately 25 minutes, and taken back into custody in the backyard of a residence on Cortland Street.
Gary L. Nichols Jr., 39, of Norwich was charged with first-degree assault, third-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, petit larceny, trespass, and first-degree escape after he allegedly stabbed a victim in the City of Norwich and attempted to escape police custody.
Nichols was offered a plea deal of first-degree attempted assault, a class C felony, with 10 years in prison followed by five years of probation. There would also be orders of protection for the victims, along with approximately $700 in restitution, but court officials said the may be subject to change.
Chenango County Assistant Public Defender Zachary Wentworth said his client intended to reject the offer and move forward with a trial.
County Court Judge Frank Revoir Jr., said if convicted on the top count of first-degree assault, Nichols could face up to 25 years in prison, followed by five years of probation.
“You understand that currently you’re facing your second violent felony,” said Revoir. “You’re a predicate felon, and that affects the potential sentencing.”
He said the 10 year sentence offered by the Chenango County District Attorney’s Office is the minimum the court could sentence Nichols to if he were to be found guilty at a trial.
“If you are found guilty, I can’t sentence you to anything less than 10 years in prison,” said Revoir.
Revoir said motions would be due by December 2nd of this year, and the trial was tentatively scheduled for February, 2020.
Around the time of the incident, The City of Norwich Police Department reported that Nichols stabbed one victim and bit another during a confrontation around 2 a.m. on July 20 after a vehicle owner reported an ongoing theft from his parked Cadillac.
Police said one victim was stabbed approximately 10 times with a, “orange and camouflaged handle knife." The other victim was bitten in the arm.
Around the time of the incident, Chenango County District Attorney Michael Ferrarese said the two victims were hurt after attempting to stop Nichols from fleeing the area before police arrived.
The Norwich Fire Department was called to the scene for both victims. The officers were able to locate and recover the knife that had been used.
The first victim was transported to Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City for treatment of approximately 10 stab wounds to the head and torso. The second victim was treated at the emergency room of Chenango Memorial Hospital for a bite to the forearm and was then released.
Police said Nichols was also transported to Chenango Memorial in Norwich. While at the hospital police said Nichols escaped and had to be relocated by police.
Police added that he was found after approximately 25 minutes, and taken back into custody in the backyard of a residence on Cortland Street.
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