Kenneth Lee Harris, age 41, of Newport News, Virginia, was sentenced yesterday to 18 months probation followed by 3 years of supervised release for assault with a deadly weapon, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. U.S. District Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. also ordered Harris to pay $2,000 in restitution.
According to the plea agreement presented to the court, on August 1, 2006, Harris was a passenger in a car driven by a woman with whom he had a relationship. They were on the Clara Barton Parkway when the woman told Harris that she was ending the relationship. A heated discussion ensued. As they drove at about 40 miles an hour, Harris reached across and jerked the steering wheel, causing the car to crash into the guard rail. The victim attempted to get out of the car but Harris grabbed her and stabbed her in the neck with a mechanical pencil. When she broke free, Harris chased her and attempted to stop her from screaming for help to other motorists who came to her aid. She was admitted to a hospital for treatment, but did not suffer any permanent injury.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the investigative work performed by the United States Park Police and thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Hollis R. Weisman, who prosecuted the case.