City stabbing nets probation

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November 19, 2009

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG The Press Republican Fri Nov 20, 2009, 12:37 AM EST

DID YOU KNOW?

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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