Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A Syracuse man will serve time on home detention and probation after stabbing a man at a local business.
Allen Curtis Harper Jr., 39, of 512 Meadowview Drive, Syracuse, was charged with battery by means of a deadly weapon, a Level 5 felony. A Level 3 felony for aggravated battery was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Harper was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court I on Thursday, July 2.
Kosciusko Superior Court I Judge Karin McGrath sentenced Harper to five years in the Indiana Department of Correction, with three years executed and two years suspended on probation. Harper will serve the remaining executed portion of his sentence through the Kosciusko County Community Corrections home detention program and has 544 days, or close to 1.5 years, of jail time credit. Part of Harper's pre-trial release conditions also include not posting about the incident whatsoever to social media.
A no-contact order between Harper and the victim remains in effect. Harper was also ordered to pay $8,000.12 in restitution to the victim.
At sentencing, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Sobek read a statement from the victim about the incident. In his statement, the victim said his doctors described him as a "walking miracle" because of the injuries he suffered.
"I've been given a sentence of a short life due to my injuries," said the statement. "To this day, there's been no consequences for the grief and potential death (Harper) could have caused."
The victim said as a result of his injuries, parts of his colon were removed, and he's also undergone multiple surgeries. He also stated he's no longer able to work as much, resulting in one of the companies he owns being close to bankruptcy. With proposed sentencing, the victim said work release or home detention was "not suitable enough."
Three testimonials were presented on Harper's behalf, with 10 people attending the sentencing in support of Harper.
Defense Attorney Aaron Stoll presented a written statement on behalf of Kayla Auer, who described Harper as a "close friend and devoted father." She said she was present during the incident and that Harper "didn't go there with malicious intent ... I believe he acted out of fear for his life. In my opinion, all of the actions (between Harper and the victim) were unlawful."
Alexia Emahiser, the mother of one of Harper's children, described him as a "great and kind dad."
Sean Bloom, Harper's friend and former employer, also testified. Bloom said he worked at Huntington Street Bar and Grill, the establishment where the incident occurred, as a chef. He hired Harper to work at the bar's kitchen and said Harper worked there for about 2 to 2-1/2 years.
"As a whole, he's a good kid," said Bloom about Harper. "I'm very selective about who I keep close, but Allen is at the top of my list. This was a bad situation for a good kid. I stand behind Allen 100%."
During questioning by Stoll, Bloom said he believed Harper's fears about the victim were justified, stating the victim was a "very different person" when intoxicated. He recalled two other incidents where he witnessed the victim, while intoxicated, having physical altercations with individuals at the business.
Harper also provided more context about the incident. He told the court he suffered a broken nose, concussion and broken teeth during the altercation and has gaps in his memory of that night. Harper said he had half a drink at the bar when the victim asked him to leave, but that he didn't know why he was asked to do so. He couldn't recall making any statements prior to his departure, but both he and Stoll said "they weren't denying that he didn't."
Harper and Stoll also said they recently received notice that the victim was pursuing civil action against Harper.
Sobek said both he and Stoll "worked very hard on this case," detailing the arguments, memorandums, depositions, body camera footage and other records that were reviewed prior to reaching a plea agreement.
"We believe this plea agreement is in the best interest of justice," said Sobek.
Stoll said there were many elements to the case that "lead toward self-defense," but that there's a "short falling" on one of those elements.
"(Harper) was walking away," said Stoll about the incident. "The victim had other vehicles he could have used ... he could have called the police; he could have walked away. But he went out there on his own accord."
Stoll also said even with the injuries the victim suffered, he was still able to incapacitate Harper.
"I'm sorry it happened," said Harper. "It's an awful thing."
"Things sure could've gone a lot differently that day," said McGrath. "It's a miracle on both sides that you emerged from this incident with your lives."
McGrath said while the harm to the victim was significant, she believed there was "provocation on both sides" and that she had nothing to refute Harper's self-defense claims.
Affidavit Of Probable Cause
On Jan. 2, 2025, Syracuse Police officers responded to a report of a man being stabbed at Huntington Street Bar and Grill.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers located Harper in a nearby alley with a group of people surrounding him and yelling. The victim, who owned the bar at the time and suffered 11 stab wounds, was found inside the business.
According to court documents, Harper initially had no pulse at the scene but eventually regained consciousness. Harper told police the victim battered him and that Harper stabbed the victim.
Two witnesses said the victim asked Harper to leave the bar and that Harper made comments toward the victim and a woman before leaving. One witness saw Harper holding a five-inch fixed blade knife and took the weapon from him.
While being taken to a local hospital, Harper said he went to the bar to give the victim and the woman a congratulations card for getting married and didn't know why the victim hit him.
