Steven Aspen, of White River Junction, left, confers with his attorney Brice Simon during a plea hearing at Windsor Superior Court in White River Junction on Tuesday in which he pleaded guilty to assault stemming from a fight with his brother, David Aspen, in Springfield last December. Photo by James M. Patterson/Valley News
Editor’s note: This story by Jordan Cuddemi was published by the Valley News on June 4.
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A 36-year-old White River Junction man who was facing a possible life sentence in a case where he allegedly tried to maim a relative took a plea deal in Windsor Superior Court on Tuesday.
Steven Aspen pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated domestic assault, and the state has agreed to drop a felony maiming charge that carried a maximum of life in prison.
Aspen, through his attorney, Brice Simon, expressed remorse for his actions in court. Aspen nearly cut his brother’s arm off with a knife and sliced his jawline and neck during a fight at a Springfield apartment on Dec. 16, according to a police affidavit.
“While this was a very serious injury … this started out with brothers drinking, getting emotional,” Simon said to Judge Timothy Tomasi. “He didn’t go out that day hoping (for this). He feels very bad about hurting his brother.”
Aspen’s brother, David Aspen, had to be airlifted to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. An officer who worked the case described David Aspen’s arm injury as a “partial amputation,” the affidavit states.
Steven Aspen is looking forward to moving on and trying “to reconnect with his brother,” Simon said.
David Aspen wasn’t in court on Wednesday.
Aspen will be sentenced at a later date, but the parameters were outlined during his change of plea hearing.
The agreement calls for Aspen to serve 370 days to five years.
Aspen asked the judge if he could serve the sentence at Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield, which is where he has been since his arrest. He has employment there in the kitchen and has received mental health-related services that he is thankful for, he and his attorney said.
The judge told Aspen that where he serves his time is up to Department of Corrections officials.
Aspen never told police what sparked the altercation between him and his brother and how his brother received the injuries; police were unable to interview David Aspen right after the incident because of his injuries, affidavits indicate.
Steven Aspen sustained a laceration to his thumb.
Cahill, who has been in Windsor County since 2005, said the maiming charge against Aspen was the first he has ever filed.
The assault charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years.
Read the story on VTDigger here: White River Junction man strikes plea deal in assault on his brother.