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The original item was published from 11/4/2016 8:43:28 AM to 2/4/2017 5:15:02 PM.

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District Attorney

Posted on: November 4, 2016

[ARCHIVED] Verdict: Lancaster Man Guilty of Attempted Murder for Stabbing Woman Over 20 Times

Israel Polanco-Cano

A Lancaster man was convicted Thursday afternoon of stabbing a woman over 20 times last year in Lancaster city.

A local jury convicted Israel Polanco-Cano of felony counts of attempted homicide and aggravated assault, following a two-day trial before County Judge Merrill Spahn Jr.

The jury of seven men and five women deliberated about 40 minutes before returning its verdict at 4:25 p.m.

Polanco-Cano, 35, is at Lancaster County Prison on $1 million bail and will be sentenced after a background check.

The first-degree felony count of attempted homicide carries a maximum 20-to-40-year prison term.

“By this verdict, justice was served,” First Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Larsen said after winning the conviction. “The first-responders - including police, firefighters and medics - performed life-saving efforts without which the victim likely would have died.”

The 49-year-old Lancaster woman was stabbed Oct. 2, 2015, inside a home in the 500 block of Howard Avenue, which belonged to a mutual friend of Polanco-Cano and the victim. The victim sustained wounds to her head, neck and chest, and survived after emergency surgery.

The victim testified along with Polanco-Cano who claimed self-defense, which the jury rejected.

Attorneys presented closing arguments Thursday afternoon.

Lancaster city police Detective Robert Whiteford filed charges.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright

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