Saratoga Springs man to get prison in Niskayuna stabbing

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

A man accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s house and stabbing her twice in August — all while six children were in the building — will serve at least 12 years in state prison, officials said.

Adam P. Lewis, 48, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded guilty to the entire indictment against him, including second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault, along with two counts of first-degree burglary.

In return, Acting Schenectady County Court Judge Richard Giardino promised to sentence Lewis to somewhere between 12 and 15 years in state prison.

The plea deal was reached with Giardino and circumvented negotiations with the district attorney’s office.

Prosecutor Christina Tremante said Tuesday that she will ask for 15 years.

“We will be asking for the maximum in that range, based on the severity of the victim’s injuries and the horrible nature of the crime,” Tremante said.

Lewis’ attorney, Joseph Litz, said Tuesday that he believed Giardino was in a position to evaluate the circumstances, including his client’s “forthrightness” and willingness to accept responsibility.

Prosecutors, Litz said, would not consider anything as low as 12 years.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 24. The victim is expected to give an impact statement at the proceedings.

Lewis was accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s Baker Avenue home in Niskayuna on Aug. 26 and stabbing her twice as he broke through a window.

The woman and Lewis formerly dated and had a child together. Lewis also had a lengthy history of domestic violence against the woman, according to the indictment. It alleges a series of incidents dating back to February 2008, including harassment and attempted break-ins.

Lewis broke in Aug. 26 carrying a knife, prosecutors have said. He also brought with him a can of gasoline and matches. The open can was found on the back steps of the house, and the matches were found on Lewis after his arrest.

Inside the home were six children, three of them the woman’s own and three others she was baby-sitting. None of them was injured.

One of the children, a 9-year-old girl, encountered Lewis in the house, grabbing him by the arm and asking him where her mother was.

The mother suffered a punctured lung and has some lingering injuries, officials said.

The woman, however, recovered enough last month to make a surprise appearance at a Niskayuna police awards ceremony. She was there to specifically thank the dispatcher who helped her that night.