Man sentenced for aggravated assault
WAYNESBURG – A Nemacolin man, who cut his former girlfriend’s throat with a knife and later told police he wanted to kill her so she would never again hurt him or his children, was sentenced Thursday by Greene County Judge Farley Toothman.
James Matthew Eaton Baldwin, 32, of 110 Bliss Ave., who pleaded guilty in October, was given a split sentence of 11½ to 23½ months in jail with a consecutive 5-year sentence of probation.
The judge granted Baldwin credit for time served, 9 months and 20 days, and deemed he was eligible to have his probationary sentence transferred to Erie County, provided he has an approved residence there.
Baldwin also was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, perform 375 hours of community service, undergo mental health and drug and alcohol assessments and comply with any recommended treatment.
Baldwin pleaded guilty Oct. 16 to all charges against him, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, terroristic threats, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.
Baldwin was arrested after he assaulted his girlfriend, Felicia Walters, early Feb. 15 at his home in Nemacolin. Walters told police she was sleeping when Baldwin climbed on top of her with a knife and said he was going to kill her.
She said she pleaded with Baldwin not to hurt her but he cut her on the right side of the neck, according to the criminal complaint. He then left the residence.
Responding to the call at 4:15 a.m., Cumberland Township police spotted and apprehended Baldwin as he was walking along Stage Coach Road.
Baldwin told police that though he knew it was wrong, he had wanted to kill Walters so she would not hurt him or the children anymore, the complaint said.
He asked whether Walters was still alive. He also told police his only regret was “killing the kids.” Baldwin clarified the statement, saying he did not physically harm the children but he killed them emotionally and they never would be the same.
Police found Walters at the house with blood on her neck and chest and what appeared to be a puncture wound to her neck. She was taken to Southwest Regional Medical Center for treatment.
An 8-inch serrated knife apparently used by Baldwin to cut Walters was found on the kitchen counter of the home.