A Kansas man who stabbed his wife in the abdomen has been sentenced to probation rather than jail time, and the Hindu faith of the man’s family was a factor in the lenient sentencing, according to the Lawrence Journal-World.
Motel owner Navinkumar Patel “pleaded no contest to felony charges of attempted second-degree murder and criminal threat in March” in the June 2015 stabbing of his wife, the Journal-World on Thursday reported.
Mr. Patel was subsequently diagnosed by Bradley Grinage, a court-appointed mental health professional, with bipolar disorder and alcohol addiction, the newspaper noted.
“If Patel stops drinking and continues to take his medication, Grinage said he is at a low risk for a repeat offense,” the Journal-World said.
Given that diagnosis, combined with character statements by Mr. Patel’s family members — including his wife — and his defense attorney’s argument that Mr. Patel’s family would be “ostracized” were he to be imprisoned, Douglas County District Court Judge Robert Fairchild opted to sentence Mr. Patel to probation.
“The cultural part of it is very significant in this case,” Judge Fairchild said, the paper reported.
Mr. Patel remains behind bars for now while officials draft their recommendations for the court about the details of his probation. He will learn the terms of his probation at his next court appearance, scheduled on Sept. 8, the Journal-World said.
• Ken Shepherd can be reached at kshepherd@washingtontimes.com.
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