The assault happened a year ago. The woman pleaded guilty to assault last month and was sentenced Friday
TRENTON - A woman who stabbed her boyfriend in the chest a year ago had been "suffering untold abuse," during their relationship, according to the woman's attorney, Caroline Turner.
The woman, Taleeca Vinegar, 25, was issued three years probation during a sentencing Friday, two months after she pleaded guilty to third-degree aggravated assault in February.
The decision stems from an assault in June after Vinegar's boyfriend was found lying on a sidewalk with a stab wound to the chest, police said at the time.
Vinegar was found standing nearby. Police initially charged her with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Her former boyfriend survived the injuries.
Woman who abused son will be sentenced
On Friday, Turner argued that Vinegar was the victim and had suffered abuse from her boyfriend.
"There were numerous witnesses to the repeated abuse," Turner said, adding that just before the stabbing, Vinegar's boyfriend had assaulted her by striking her head against the sink.
Turner said the boyfriend had also threatened to take Vinegar's three children away.
Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw sentenced Vinegar to probation Friday, noting that the assault was her first indictable conviction.
Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
