web1_gamenight03.jpg

What games will you play Friday night?

Community Briefs

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Before deputies hauled him off to prison, city teen Kevin Espinoza apologized to the man he stabbed seven times.</p><p>&#8220;I regret all the damage I have caused you,&#8221; Espinoza said Wednesday in court. &#8220;I can&#8217;t expect your forgiveness, but I can hope for it.&#8221;</p><p>Luzerne County Judge David W. Lupas sentenced the 19-year-old Wednesday to spend eight to 23 months in county prison for the February 2014 stabbing of Luis Rosa outside GAR High School.</p><p>Espinoza pleaded guilty in July to one count of aggravated assault, and the term of incarceration was agreed upon as part of his plea deal.</p><p>The teen&#8217;s mother offered Rosa her own apology, extending her sympathies for the pain and injuries her son caused as well as her surprise at her son&#8217;s actions.</p><p>&#8220;I know how your mom feels, because if you were my son I would be really crazy,&#8221; said Domenica Lucero.</p><p>Rosa himself offered brief testimony.</p><p>Speaking through an interpreter, he touched upon the chronic pain he experiences in the healing tissue of his seven stab wounds&#8212; pain he said is aggravated by cold and rainy days. He also testified to the financial trouble it has caused him.</p><p>&#8220;I just want him to pay for what I had to go through,&#8221; Rosa said.</p><p>As part of his sentence, Espinoza also must make restitution covering medical bills Rosa incurred as a result of the stabbing.</p><p>Lupas said he was pleased to hear Espinoza expressing remorse and accepting responsibility, but said the teen must understand his actions have long-term, serious consequences, like his victim&#8217;s chronic pain.</p><p>&#8220;That can&#8217;t simply be erased or go away,&#8221; the judge said.</p><p>Espinoza was immediately remanded to Luzerne County Correctional Facility after the hearing.</p><p>Police say Espinoza on Feb. 19, 2014, stabbed Rosa several times during a fight outside GAR High School after a basketball game. Prosecutors suspect jealousy over a shared romantic interest motivated the scuffle.</p><p>Rosa sustained multiple stab wounds to the abdomen which required surgical attention.</p><p>Espinoza was arrested and charged five days later. Despite being only 17 years old at the time of the assault, Espinoza was prosecuted as an adult.</p><p>Earlier this year, he petitioned unsuccessfully to have his charges decertified to juvenile court.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_Kevin-Espinoza-2-24-14.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Espinoza </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_Kevin-Espinoza-2-24-14.jpg</photo0><caption0>Espinoza </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach James O&#8217;Malley at 570-991-6390 or on Twitter @TL_omalley.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Defendant, mom apologize to stabbing victim at sentencing hearing