Orange County Man Guilty of Stabbing Victim 23 Times

An Orange County 20-year-old is guilty of stabbing a friend 23 times outside of a bar.

Jonathan Rizzo, of Cornwall plead guilty to 1st-degree assault. When he was arrested in April he also faced charges of attempted murder, 2nd-degree assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and two counts of tampering with physical evidence.

On April 6, 2016, Rizzo stabbed a person he knew 23 times with a folding knife. The stabbing took place outside a bar in the Village of Cornwall following an argument between Rizzo and the victim. Officials say, Rizzo tried to conceal the knife and clothes he was wearing.

Under the terms of the plea agreement announced in court Rizzo will receive a sentence of twelve years in state prison when he is sentenced on August 10.

“Our streets will be safer during the over decade that this defendant will be incarcerated,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler in a statement. “Those who use violence to settle disputes harm not only those whom they actually injure, but all who have a right to feel safe in their communities. Violence, whether caused by knives or guns, can simply not be tolerated in our communities. My office will continue to seek lengthy state prison sentences for violent offenders.”

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police, Town of Cornwall Police Department and Village of Cornwall Police Department for their investigation of the case.