Toledoan gets jail, probation in stabbing

Man, 25, injured prostitute’s eye

5/22/2014
BLADE STAFF

An East Toledo man who stabbed a prostitute in the eye was placed on community control for three years Wednesday.

Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Gary Cook also ordered that Dontae Upchurch, 25, of 126 Dearborn Ave., serve 180 days at the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio near Stryker but gave him credit for 164 days he already has spent in the Lucas County jail.

After serving 16 days at CCNO, Upchurch is to spend 120 days in the Lucas County Work Release Program followed by 60 days in the day-reporting program.

Upchurch, who was originally indicted for felonious assault and rape, pleaded no contest May 7 to attempted felonious assault.

At that hearing, Kathryn Sandretto, an assistant Lucas County prosecutor, told the court Upchurch had paid a woman $20 for sex Dec. 9, but when the two were in the back seat of his car at Chestnut and Mettler streets, a disagreement ensued, and Upchurch stabbed her in the eye with a broken hood latch.

Upchurch told the court he had broken up with his girlfriend after learning that she had been unfaithful. He said he picked the woman up, but he changed his mind once they were in the back seat.

Defense attorney Jon Richardson said Wednesday it is not known whether the victim’s injury has healed, as she has had no contact with the court. However, he said Upchurch was “regretful and remorseful” about what happened.

— Jennifer Feehan