Sylvester Pines, who was arrested for allegedly using a knife to attack and injure a friend at a St. Rose RaceTrac in late 2017, recently pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated battery.
Pines received a suspended sentence of 10 years in prison, but can avoid jail time by fulfilling the terms of his three-year active probation, which includes undergoing court-mandated substance abuse treatment and community service. He also received a 40 day prison sentence and credit for time served.
Pines, 30, of 111 Hwy 411 in Holden, was initially charged with attempted first-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty to the charge before going on to plead guilty to the battery charge as per a plea bargain.
The incident occurred in November of 2017 and resulted in the then 25-year-old victim being transported to University Hospital for critical care.
According to the case’s arrest report, it began as a verbal altercation between the two men then progressed into a physical one. As the fight escalated, Pines allegedly cut the victim on his head with a box cutter knife, causing a laceration that extended from above his left ear and down his neck. The man also suffered brain bleeding due to blunt force trauma to his head and required surgery. He was eventually medically cleared and discharged from the hospital.
A deputy called to the scene witnessed Pines discarding his blood stained shirt into a dumpster.
The report noted Pines was intoxicated.
Sheriff’s Office spokesman Cpl. James Grimaldi said the victim and suspect were traveling together and that they stopped at the RaceTrac for fuel.
According to the arrest report, Pines admitted to having a physical altercation with the victim, but would not explain how the victim suffered the laceration or head trauma.
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