One man involved in an April stabbing in Syracuse pleaded guilty Tuesday morning in a Kosciusko County courtroom.
Scott Koontz, 20, of Middlebury, pleaded guilty to battery, a Class A misdemeanor as a lesser included offense of count I, battery, a Class C felony. As per his plea deal, Koontz will plead guilty to misdemeanor battery instead of felony battery and the court will have no limitation on sentencing. A Class A misdemeanor holds a possible sentence of up to one year in prison and a fine not to exceed $5,000.
Koontz was originally charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, a Class B felony. The charges were later changed to battery, a Class C felony.
Kosciusko County Superior Court I Judge Duane Huffer took the plea under advisement and set sentencing on the matter for Nov. 7, at 8:30 a.m.
On April 8, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to 9974 E. Bald Eagle Drive, Syracuse, in the Papakeechie Estates addition. Upon arrival deputies located Tyler James Niles, 24, Syracuse, who had suffered from a stab wound to the neck. Niles was transported to a South Bend hospital in serious condition.
