A Laurens man received a prison sentence in Buena Vista County District Court for his involvement in a stabbing incident in Storm Lake last year.
On Monday, 31-year-old Oscar Ortiz pleaded guilty to Attempt to Commit Murder, a class B felony. Ortiz previously pleaded not guilty to the Attempted Murder charge, as well as two other felony charges. Ortiz waived his right to a delay in sentencing, and the court sentenced him to a prison term of up to 25 years with the Iowa Department of Corrections. Ortiz will have to serve at least 17.5 years before he’s eligible for parole.
On September 18th of last year, Ortiz reportedly stabbed a male victim five times in the upper torso with a hunting knife outside of 1601 Lochedum Drive in Storm Lake. The victim was able to escape the attack, and ran into the main entrance of the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center. The victim sustained serious injuries. He was flown from BVRMC to another hospital for further treatment. Ortiz also reportedly stole the victim’s phone. Following the stabbing, Ortiz fled the scene in a vehicle, but surrendered approximately 15 minutes later at the Storm Lake Police Department.
