Eastlake man found guilty in stabbing

Daniel Edward Kovacic, 19, Eastlake, was found guilty by a Lake County jury on April 25 of stabbing another man at a Willoughby apartment last year. According to court records, Kovacic was charged with two counts felonious assault and one count tampering with evidence; he was found guilty on all three counts.

Kovacic was arrested Nov.23, 2009, after the victim in the case was stopped by police for speeding. He told police he had just been stabbed at a Willoughby apartment where Kovacic was living at the time, as reported by the News-Herald. The victim said he drove to Kovacic's apartment because Kovacic had threatened his family. The two began to fight and Kovacic cut the victim on his right cheek, right side of the head and left shoulder.

During the trial, Kovacic did not take the stand in his own defense. Judge Vincent A. Culotta would not allow the jury to consider self-defense.

Kovacic is currently serving 15 months at Lorain Correctional Institution for assaulting a police officer during an unrelated incident. Court records show he was found guilty of that charge on Jan. 6, 2010. When sentenced he could receive an additional eight years for each of the three current felony convictions. Kovacic was represented by defense attorney Mitchell J. Yelsky, court records show.

Sources:
https://phoenix.lakecountyohio.gov/pa/pa_cp.urd/pamw2000.docket_lst?50958826
http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2010/04/24/news/nh2410818.txt
http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2009/11/23/news/doc4b0afa1a89eb0500405213.txt