Today, Steven John Schuman was sentenced to 54 months to 144 months in a State Correctional Institution following a guilty plea to one count of Aggravated Assault with Serious Bodily Injury.

On May 25, 2017 Schuman stabbed the victim with a knife three times in the neck following an argument inside a residence on Highland Street in Hawley, PA. The victim was transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital covered in blood from her wounds and then to Geisinger CMC Hospital in Scranton for further care, including surgery.

At sentencing, First Assistant Deborah Rothenberg read a letter written and prepared by the victim expressing her continued fear and loss of trust in people. First Assistant Deborah Rothenberg further emphasized to Senior Judge Raymond L. Hamill, that a focus of the sentencing hearing should be on the victim, and her injuries, in addition to the lack of remorse of the Defendant and the aggravated nature of the incident.

District Attorney Patrick Robinson stated that “The Wayne County District Attorney’s Office has a Zero Tolerance Policy regarding Domestic Violence. This case is an excellent example of why a Zero Tolerance Policy is required. Cases like this are usually the result of an escalating pattern of violent behavior. Swift and strong action at the beginning of these escalating a patterns will deter many abusers from reaching the horrific level of violence exhibited in this case. In any event Defendant Schuman will definitely be deterred from abusing any women for the next 4 ½ years to 12 years.”

The District Attorney’s Office thanks the Pennsylvania State Police for their excellent work in investigating this case.