From staff reports
A Clarion man who pleaded guilty in June to the aggravated assault of his girlfriend last year was sentenced earlier this month to serve up to eight years in prison.
Clarion County President Judge James Arner ordered James Edwards, 40, formerly of Franklin, on Aug. 1, to serve a minimum of four years with a maximum stay of eight years.
Edwards had pleaded guilty by reason of being mentally ill to a felony count of aggravated assault and misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
Edwards was arrested after the Dec. 9 incident that occurred at his West Main Street residence in Clarion.
At a preliminary hearing on Jan. 9, the 40-year-old Franklin woman Edwards had been dating testified she arrived at his home the night of Dec. 9.
Edwards had been acting irritated, she said, and made life-threatening comments toward the woman. She said Edwards proceeded to throw a plastic plate that hit her in the back of the head before she eventually gathered her belongings in an attempt to leave.
The woman said she saw Edwards go to a drawer in his bedroom and take out something. He approached her and cut his wrists in front of her and wiped the blood on her, she said.
The woman said she began screaming and ran onto the front porch. She said Edwards then grabbed her from behind and stabbed her behind the ear and in the back of her neck five times, then two times in the back of her left arm.
She received treatment at the Clarion Hospital emergency room and a Pittsburgh medical facility.
Clarion patrolman Christopher Fox also testified and said Edwards was found in a bathroom inside the home, covered in a large amount of blood.
Edwards also appeared agitated and made suicidal comments, Fox said, and he was eventually taken down with the use of a Taser.
Edwards was given credit for 234 days already served in the Clarion County jail and is required to successfully complete mental health counseling and treatment.
