Woman Knifes Another Woman in the Face: Given 1 Year in Prison
Summary:
Paragraphs six and seven reads: "Stein's attorney, Anthony Gianacopoulos, said his client suffers from depression and bipolar disorder. Rutberg is also requiring that Stein take her medications and continue to see a counselor."
"Gianacopoulos told the court Stein had no criminal record and that this was 'an isolated incident'."
PITTSFIELD -- A Pittsfield woman pleaded guilty in Central Berkshire District Court on Friday to assault and battery for attacking another woman in March.
Sara J. Stein, 25, of Dalton Avenue, Pittsfield, was sentenced to one year in the Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction by Judge Fredric D. Rutberg. Stein must serve 60 days of the sentence. If she stays out of trouble until Oct. 19, 2012, she won't have to serve any more time for the crime.
Stein attacked Crystal Casal, 29, also of Pittsfield, on March 18. Casal believed Stein used some kind of a sharp object, possibly a knife, in the attack, according to a police report. A police photo shows the victim's face covered in blood.
Stein told police she was defending herself because she claimed Casal attacked her first.
The judge, calling the crime "very disturbing," ordered that Stein also take anger-management classes, stay at least 25 yards away from the victim and avoid contact with her.
Stein's attorney, Anthony Gianacopoulos, said his client suffers from depression and bipolar disorder. Rutberg is also requiring that Stein take her medications and continue to see a counselor.
Gianacopoulos told the court Stein had no criminal record and that this was "an isolated incident."
Stein is still facing a second assault and battery with a dangerous weapon charge for a September incident for which her bail in the previous case was revoked by the court.
In that case, Stein allegedly attacked Tamara M. Morgan, 26, outside a Pittsfield bar.
Stein pleaded not guilty Sept. 21 in that incident. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Nov. 30.