PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A 52-year-old man was sentenced to over 5 years in prison for stabbing a man in the heart back in August 2016.
James Lionell McClure pleaded no contest to one count of 2nd-degree assault on May 9 in connection to the stabbing on Aug. 26, 2016. All other charges against McClure were dismissed.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Portland police responded to reports of a stabbing at Couch Park in Northwest Portland. Officers found Kody King, then 28, suffering from a stab wound to his chest. He was taken to the hospital with critical injuries and underwent emergency surgery.
“The victim in this case yelled out, ‘He stabbed me in the heart’ immediately after being attacked by the defendant,” Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Shawn Overstreet said. “A short struggle between McClure and our victim ensued. Ultimately, the victim collapsed.”
According to Overstreet, medical experts told them that King was dead for 11 minutes. However, he survived the incident due to the “incredible efforts” by the team at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.
During the investigation, detectives learned King appeared to be waiting to use the bathroom in Couch Park when McClure approached and stabbed him in the chest. The defendant then fled the area, but was taken into custody a short time later.
Initially, detectives believe McClure stabbed King while attempting to steal his property.
King — as a result of the stabbing — suffers from brain damage. He has since moved out of Oregon and lives with family members who take care of him.
Judge Kenneth R. Walker sentenced McClure to 70 months in prison. Upon his release, he will be on three years of post-prison supervision.