BORDERLAND

19-year-old man enters Alford plea in stabbing

5/13/2014

A Temperance man who stabbed a 17-year-old during an altercation on the University of Toledo campus entered an Alford plea Monday to aggravated riot.

Joseph Bialecki, 19, faces up to 18 months in prison when he is sentenced June 25 by Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Linda Jennings, who found him guilty.

In an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit to committing a crime, but acknowledges evidence is sufficient for a conviction that could result in a more severe sentence.

Mike Loisel, an assistant Lucas County prosecutor, told the court Bialecki was with a friend about 2:30 a.m. Aug. 23 when they were confronted by a group of individuals in a car. The verbal altercation turned physical after Bialecki and his friend started to walk away.

Mr. Loisel said Bialecki took out a knife and cut Cody Halka while the two were fighting. He then tried to run away, but he was chased down by three of young Halka’s friends, who beat Bialecki until he was unconscious.

As part of a plea agreement, a charge of felonious assault is to be dismissed at sentencing. Bialecki also agreed to testify against any co-defendants whose cases go to trial.