Man fined for stabbing woman three times

Cortland County Courthouse. (Photo Source: Kevin L. Smith of The Cortland Voice).

A City of Cortland man was fined after he stabbed a woman three times over money in December of last year.

Lavalle A. Caldwell pleaded guilty to third-degree assault (a Class-A misdemeanor), a charge attached to the incident, at Cortland County Court on Tuesday.

“This is a lesser included offense and a negotiated disposition,” said Christopher Simser, chief assistant district attorney. “The defendant served a significant amount of time in local court. The people are satisfied (with the decision).”

Caldwell was fined $200 for the misdemeanor conviction, which includes a $175 surcharge, $25 crime victim assistance fee and a $50 DNA fee.

The incident on Dec. 10 of last year occurred at a residence on Main Street. Caldwell stabbed a woman twice in her right arm and once in the right side of her back with a “sharp dangerous instrument,” according to court documents. The action took place due to the woman’s refusal to pay $20 to Caldwell after he loaned her the money earlier in the day

The woman was transported to Upstate University Hospital that day, where she was treated for non life-threatening injuries. Court docs noted that the woman required eight stitches to close up the stab wounds.

According to defense attorney Christopher Thorpe, Caldwell has a pending second-degree harassment charge in the town of Cortlandville. This charge could be waived in the future as part of the plea.

Caldwell confirmed in court on Tuesday that he will not appeal the fine or the plea.