Winona Lake Man Sentenced To Four Years On Probation For Stabbing Incident
Staff Report
WARSAW — A Winona Lake man will serve four years on probation after stabbing someone in the neck.
Henry D. Williamson, 24, 2609 Wildwood Lane, Winona Lake, pled guilty to domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury, a level 5 felony, with remaining charges dropped as a result of a plea agreement. One of the charges dismissed was a Level 3 felony for aggravated battery.
Henry D. Williamson
Williamson was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court One on Thursday, Sept. 21.
For domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury, Kosciusko Superior Court One Judge Karin McGrath sentenced Williamson to four years in the Indiana Department of Correction, with the entirety of the sentence suspended on probation. With this sentence, Williamson is not allowed to drink alcohol or own a firearm.
The victim of the stabbing incident spoke at Williamson’s sentencing.
“I only have love and support for Henry,” said the victim. “There were both long-term and short-term reasoning why the incident occurred and I can say with confidence it never would have happened if I had not escalated the situation. I have personally been in counseling to be a better man and work through my issues. Henry has also made great progress through the Fort Wayne Recovery Program in the last nine months. I am very proud of him.”
“I remember when this happened,” said Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Sobek. “We got a call at my office that a man stabbed another person in the neck. We all expected this case would be a murder case and our office was preparing for that situation. It is a miracle that the victim survived. It breaks my heart seeing the victim taking on blame for this. In the pre-sentence investigation documents it seems that everyone involved in this case is blaming someone, or something, else. I do not think that Henry Williamson is taking responsibility for his own actions. He seems to be blaming alcohol or the victim, but people in the same, similar or worse situations are not committing the crime Henry did. This is a difficult case that is very concerning, but Henry Williamson is an adult and in my opinion, he is not taking responsibility for his actions.”
Williamson also shared a statement with the court, saying, ” With the event that occurred, shame and guilt is not productive in my journey moving forward. I have solved my deepest problems and now, I want to help others do the same. In the personal work I have committed myself to I am securing a foothold, now, to maximize my impact on the planet.”
Defense Attorney Paul Refior stated before the court, “Henry has received treatment and the event happened in a sudden alcoholic rage. He is in a support structure through Fort Wayne Recovery Program and has actually been asked to speak to others. He is coming up on a year of sobriety and that is a major factor in the case.”
McGrath accepted the plea agreement and said, ” It is a miracle this did not end differently. While I agree it is unlikely Williamson will commit another crime… this was a very serious crime committed. I take Sobek’s statement to heart when making my decision. With that being said, Williamson’s commitment to rehabilitation has resulted in serious effort being made to work through his issues. It is rare to see this amount of work being put forth in the amount of time the case has been pending.”
Speaking directly to Williamson, McGrath said, “You are a young man of infinite potential, but you must continue to put in the work necessary. You are worth the hard work.”
She then spoke to the courtroom as a whole, “This sentence is not a typical one. However, I believe incarceration would not help in this situation, but would instead make it worse.”
On Dec. 29, 2022, a Winona Lake Police Officer made entry into a home and found a man with a serious stab wound to his neck. The man said he was stabbed in the neck by Williamson. The man was treated at the scene and then flown to a Fort Wayne hospital.
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