West Toledo man, 48, is found guilty of stabbing acquaintance

2/7/2008

A West Toledo man charged with stabbing an acquaintance several times during an argument in September will be sentenced March 3 after being found guilty this week in Lucas County Common Pleas Court of felonious assault.

Willie Hightower III, 48, of 5553 Lewis Ave. pleaded no contest Tuesday to the charge. He faces up to eight years in prison when sentenced by visiting Judge Stephen Yarbrough. Hightower remains in the county jail in lieu of $75,000 bond.

Hightower was convicted of stabbing Ronald Hendrick of 736 Gramercy Ave. twice in the chest, once in the neck, and once in the back. Authorities said the two men were with friends at an apartment in the 5500 block of Lewis about 3:25 a.m. Sept. 23 when they began to argue. Hightower left the scene and was arrested later.