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WARREN -- A woman who was facing prison time for stabbing her former boyfriend several times was sentenced Wednesday to five years of probation.
Tenicia Shelley, 32, of Farrell, Pa., pleaded guilty in October to an amended indictment that charged her with one count of second-degree felonious assault, which carried a sentence of eight to 12 years in prison.
Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Sean O'Brien told Shelley during her sentencing hearing the only reason she was avoiding jail time was because of her clean record before the incident, her attorney and discussions with the state about her case.
An emotional Shelley cried at the podium throughout the hearing, often twiddling her fingers as she awaited a determination of her fate. Addressing the court, she said things "happened quickly" after finding out her boyfriend had cheated on her with her best friend.
Because the victims did not cooperate with prosecutors, assistant prosecutor Gabe Wildman deferred sentencing recommendations, leaving the decision to the judge.
Before her community control begins, Shelley must complete the Northeast Ohio Community Alternative Program.
POLICE REPORT
A Brookfield police report states a man, 36, was alleged to have been stabbed Sept. 24, 2022, by the defendant at the Hilltop Gardens Townhomes.
Another victim, a 31-year-old woman at the residence, was found by police holding a shirt to the chest of the victim and applying pressure to the wound.
The female victim told police Shelley and the man had come to her home to cheer her up and told police the couple had been at a bar in Sharon.
An argument reportedly broke out around 6 a.m. between Shelley and her boyfriend when he refused to have sex with the female victim while Shelley listened, the report states.
Shelley then left the residence, but later returned and forced her way past the woman, who told police she noticed Shelley was clutching a 6-inch kitchen knife in her hand as she ran up the stairs.
The woman said she witnessed Shelley allegedly stab her boyfriend in the chest, the report states. Shelley swung the knife at the woman, but missed, and then turned her attention back to her boyfriend and allegedly continued to stab at him, the report states.
Shelley was arrested a few days later in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and held in jail there before being extradited to Trumbull County jail to face charges.