Press-Republican

Local News

November 19, 2009

Local man sentenced in downtown stabbing

PLATTSBURGH — James Farrell II didn’t say anything before he was sentenced to probation for stabbing a college student during a drunken argument earlier this year.

The 24-year-old Plattsburgh man stood quietly in Clinton County Court Wednesday afternoon when he was given three years probation and 100 hours of community service, along with about $165 in court expenses.

Before handing down the sentence, Judge Patrick McGill told Farrell that he “came very close to possibly killing” Plattsburgh State student Shaher Zakaria.

He said the case “very well could have been more serious.”

Farrell had been facing charges since the mid-March stabbing, which left Zakaria hospitalized with a punctured abdomen.

Plattsburgh City Police said Farrell had been arguing with Zakaria, 21, and several other men after the group spoke to Farrell’s girlfriend in a downtown parking lot.

Witnesses said the altercation quickly escalated when Farrell “head butted” one of the men, and people from the other group retaliated.

After unsuccessful bystander intervention, a fight ensued, and that’s when, police said, Farrell pulled out a folding knife and stabbed Zakaria in the abdomen.

Police arrived as Farrell, carrying the knife, was chasing down another man.

In September, Farrell pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of third-degree assault in satisfaction of the original felony and misdemeanor charges.

Farrell, who has been free on $25,000 cash bail, has been under probation supervision since his plea.

Zakaria, who has since recovered, did not attend the sentencing.



E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at:

avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Breaking News
Local News

Recent Article Comments
Albany Round-up
Photo of the Day
Strange News
Videos: Editor Picks
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate Egyptians Vote in Historic Presidential Election Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination Joplin Marches to 'Remember' Tornado Victims Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come 8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff Sheriff: DNA Links Suspect to Missing CA Teen US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely' Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss