A 33-year-old Guilderland man pled guilty to attempted assault in the first degree after a stabbing in Colonie in March, Albany County District Attorney David Soares announced in a press release Monday morning.
Elias Deligiannis, of 1980 Western Ave. in Guilderland, pleaded guilty before the Honorable Peter A. Lynch in Albany County Court Monday, May 6. On March 30, at approximately 12:08 a.m., Colonie police responded to a call reporting a stabbing at 17 Birch Tree Road. There, police found Deligannis covered in blood with facial injuries and a laceration to his hand, as well as his girlfriend, 28-year-old Janell F. Schwanke, also covered in blood and attempting to leave the residence. Police said they found the homeowner/victim, Raymond Klein, 48, inside with at least seven stab wounds to his head, back and arms. The knife believed to be used in the stabbing was found in Schwanke’s purse, police said, and she was arrested for attempting to conceal and flee with the knife.
All three people had been out earlier in the evening and then returned to the home where a physical altercation occurred between Deligiannis and Klein. Police said Deligiannis produced a knife and stabbed Klein. The exact reason for the altercation is still undetermined. The victim suffered a punctured lung and multiple stab wounds that required surgery, police said.
Deligiannis remains in custody and will receive between eight to 10 years in State Prison, to be followed by five years of post-release supervision when sentenced on June 13. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hauf of the Major Crimes Unit handled the prosecution of this case.