A man from Cape May Court House, Victor Sawaichi, was arrested for a stabbing that took place over the weekend.
The arrest is a result of an incident that occurred at a 7-Eleven on Route 9 and Stone Harbor Boulevard shortly after 1 a.m.. Reports say that Sawaichi and another man got into an argument while stopped next to each other at a red light at the intersection. The two men proceeded to enter the 7-Eleven where the argument continued and escalated into a physical altercation. This led to the alleged stabbing of the victim by Sawaichi. The victim was transported across the street to Cape Regional Medical Center and then to AtlantiCareCity Division.
Sawaichi was charged with aggravated assault and several weapons charges including possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon. Aggravated assault is one of the broadest crimes in New Jersey as there are over ten different charges under the statute. In this case, the defendant was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a third degree crime in New Jersey. A conviction for this crime could result in 3 to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison.
Since the aggravated assault charge is a third degree crime in this case, the possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose is even more serious as it is a second degree crime. A conviction for this can therefore result in 5 to 10 years in State Prison. The amount of time Sawaichi will spend in prison if convicted will depend on whether he is sentenced consecutively (each term served one after the other) or concurrently (terms served at the same time). Either way, this crime is included under the “Graves Act” meaning he would have to serve a minimum term of parole ineligibility fixed at, or between, one-third to one-half of a sentence imposed, or 3 years, whichever is greater.
For more information on this case, access the following nj.com article: “Cape May Court House man charged in Middle Township stabbing.”
