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WILKES-BARRE — Before deputies hauled him off to prison, city teen Kevin Espinoza apologized to the man he stabbed seven times.
“I regret all the damage I have caused you,” Espinoza said Wednesday in court. “I can’t expect your forgiveness, but I can hope for it.”
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.
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.
The teen’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’s actions.
“I know how your mom feels, because if you were my son I would be really crazy,” said Domenica Lucero.
Rosa himself offered brief testimony.
Speaking through an interpreter, he touched upon the chronic pain he experiences in the healing tissue of his seven stab wounds— pain he said is aggravated by cold and rainy days. He also testified to the financial trouble it has caused him.
“I just want him to pay for what I had to go through,” Rosa said.
As part of his sentence, Espinoza also must make restitution covering medical bills Rosa incurred as a result of the stabbing.
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’s chronic pain.
“That can’t simply be erased or go away,” the judge said.
Espinoza was immediately remanded to Luzerne County Correctional Facility after the hearing.
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.
Rosa sustained multiple stab wounds to the abdomen which required surgical attention.
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.
Earlier this year, he petitioned unsuccessfully to have his charges decertified to juvenile court.