Defendant was on trial for the 2013 stabbing of a then-44-year-old Bound Brook resident.
Defedant Ernesto Azana-Pure. (Photo by Dave Hutchinson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)BOUND BROOK -- A borough man was found not guilty of first-degree attempted murder but guilty on the lesser charges of second-degree aggravated assault and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose Monday afternoon in Somerset County Superior Court.
Ernesto Azana-Pure, 21, was on trial for the 2013 stabbing of a then-44-year-old borough resident in his home.
The five-day trial before Somerset County Superior Court Judge Julie M. Marino ended Thursday. Jurors received their instructions on Thursday afternoon and began deliberating Monday morning after being excused on Friday.
Azana-Pure is facing 10 years in prison with 85 percent served before being eligible for parole.RELATED: Jurors shown graphic pictures of victim stabbed in abdomen
On Jan. 14, 2013 at 4:51 a.m., police received a report of a stabbing at a Talmadge Avenue residence, authorities said. Officers at the scene discovered a man suffering from a large open wound to his abdomen and going in and out of consciousness, authorities said.
After the stabbing, the victim, whose name is being withheld by authorities, was taken to an area trauma center where he underwent emergency surgery, authorities said.
Co-defendant Renato Escobar, 22, of Bridgewater, who struck a plea deal of three years probation and 75 hours of community service, testified that he and Azana-Pure went to the victim's home at approximately 2 a.m. on the day of the stabbing to have drinks. He also testified that he had sex with the victim that day.
Azana-Pure was represented by public defender Stuart White.
Assistant prosecutor Robert Hawkes represented the state in the case.
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