Thursday, March 13, 2008

Alleged Political Stabbing Headed to Trial

Follow up on an incredible story of political rivalry.

From today's Times Herald:

An Upper Providence man, accused of ending a political argument by stabbing his brother-in-law with a kitchen knife, will stand trial on all of the charges against him.

With his victim in the courtroom of District Judge Walter F. Gadzicki Jr., Jose Antonio Ortiz, 28, of the 100 block of Honeylocust Court, Thursday opted to waive his preliminary hearing on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another and possession of an instrument of crime.

The stabbing occurred on Feb. 21 when Ortiz and Sean Shurelds, 42, of Lower Salford, became embroiled in a heated dispute over Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

County Assistant District Attorney John N. Gradel said his office is taking the case "Very seriously."

"Most of us settle these differences in the voting booth," said Gradel. "I don't believe that pulling a knife and stabbing another person is the way to handle it."

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