Cohoes man admits to Schenectady stabbing

A Cohoes resident has admitted to stabbing a man at Schenectady corner store last October.

James Steele, 48, pleaded guilty in Schenectady County Court on Wednesday to two counts of assault and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the incident.

Steele got into a fight with a customer at the store on Oct. 20. The fistfight escalated and Steele stabbed the victim multiple times, according to a news release from the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office. When the man fled, Steele chased him and then stabbed him again when he fell to the ground. Steele continued to pursue him as the victim tried to get into his car.

The victim was driven to Ellis Hospital and then transferred to Albany Medical Center, where he had a prolonged hospital stay due to the extent of his injuries.

Steele was located at his residence in Cohoes about 24 hours after the attack and arrested.

Prosecutors credited video of the attack from Schenectady County’s street camera network as crucial to identifying the suspect. New York State Police assisted in enhancing the video.

Steele elected to plead directly to court in lieu of plea agreement from the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office. He is set to receive a minimum term of 8 years in prison when sentenced on Nov. 15.