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