Taunton Man Sentenced for New Bedford Stabbing

NEW BEDFORD — A Taunton man arrested last year for stabbing another man in New Bedford will spend three to five years in state prison, according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.

Charles Summers, 43, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

In August 2020, police were flagged down by people on the sidewalk at 116 County St. at 1:35 a.m.

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The officers saw a victim bleeding heavily from a large stab wound to his thigh.

He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment, where he was found to have multiple stab wounds, including in his shoulder and leg, and a cut on his lip.

The stabbing had taken place inside the hallway stairwell of a County Street rooming house, where one resident overheard arguing and recognized Summers leaving the building.

She then helped the stabbing victim by giving him a towel to apply pressure to the wound on his leg.

Surveillance footage shows Summers entering the building at around 12:30 a.m. and leaving about an hour later with an object in his hand.

A Bristol County Sheriff's deputy later found Summers not far from the scene with blood on his shirt and shoes.

According to the D.A.'s office, the victim in the case did not cooperate with prosecutors, but the office went forward with the prosecution.

“I am pleased that the defendant was convicted despite the victim’s lack of cooperation and his attempts to undermine the case," Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said.

"The efforts of investigators and the prosecutor were important in obtaining a conviction and keeping a career criminal off the streets."