Nov 25, 2014 3 min read

A West Virginia woman who pleaded guilty to stabbing her former boyfriend’s new girlfriend was sentenced Tuesday to a minimum of 54 months and a maximum of 15 years in prison.

Kristin Marie Schnelle, 20, of McMechen, W.Va., appeared before Washington County Judge Valarie Costanzo for her sentencing hearing. She pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in September.

Schnelle was accused of stabbing Aubrey Buehner of Martins Ferry, Ohio, March 31, 2013.

Canonsburg police Sgt. Don Cross said Schnelle went to the home of her former boyfriend, Robert Cramer II, of 211 McShane Ave., after reportedly seeing images of him on Facebook with his new girlfriend. Cross said Schnelle and Cramer dated for about two years, since she was 17, and had recently broken up.

When police arrived at the home, they found Buehner seated at a kitchen table being treated by Cramer’s mother. Police went downstairs and found Cramer restraining a woman, later identified as Schnelle. When Cramer released her, she grabbed an open bottle of bleach and tried to drink it until police knocked it away.

Cramer told police he and Buehner were sleeping and were awakened when Schnelle started stabbing Buehner with a kitchen knife. Police said Schnelle was able to stab Buehner several times before Cramer was able to pull her off. Cramer also told police Schnelle brought a bottle of pills with her and was shoving them in her mouth. The pills were later determined to be iron vitamins.

Police said Schnelle used her own set of keys to enter the home. A car Schnelle used to drive to Canonsburg was found parked outside Cramer’s home. Inside, police found a note she wrote to her mother, asking for forgiveness.

Schnelle told police she left her home in West Virginia that morning after seeing Facebook images of Cramer embracing his new girlfriend.

Buehner, who suffered what police described as two large stab wounds to the upper left arm, was taken to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment. Police recovered two knives at the scene.

Schnelle faced charges for attempted homicide, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and simple assault. The remaining charges were not prosecuted.

Buehner briefly addressed the court prior to Schnelle being sentenced. She burst into tears as she described how the “life-changing event” affected her and members of her family. Buehner said she lives in constant fear that Schnelle will attack her again.

Schnelle apologized for her actions in court and said she never intended to harm Buehner. She said she went to the home to kill herself.

In addition to the prison sentence, Schnelle must pay more than $10,000 in restitution. Costanzo ordered Schnelle be sent to a prison that will properly address her mental health needs.

Assistant District Attorney Leslie Ridge said after the hearing the sentence was appropriate. She hopes it will provide Buehner closure and allow her to move on with her life. Buehner agreed.

“The court addressed it appropriately,” Buehner said after the sentencing.

Schnelle, who was free on bond, was taken into custody when the hearing concluded. She will remain at the Washington County jail until she is transferred to a state correctional facility.