Everett roommate-stabber is sentenced to nearly 8 years

EVERETT – A man who left his roommate last April with about 30 stab wounds was sentenced to nearly eight years in prison.

Anthony Garcia, 21, pleaded guilty last week to first degree assault. This is evident from documents filed with the Snohomish County Supreme Court.

At the time of the attack, Garcia lived with his father and 62-year-old roommate on the 300 block of Bedrock Drive in Everett.

Just before 10 p.m. on April 15, Garcia’s father and victim were eating pizza and watching TV when police reports said Garcia asked for a ride to the store. His father said no and after asking a few more times Garcia left the house for a moment.

When he returned he reportedly had a kitchen knife and started stabbing the victim from behind as he was sitting on a deck chair, according to court records.

Garcia, who is described as 6 feet tall and 130 pounds, was approached by his father. During the fight, the wounded man was able to escape. Eventually the attacker also escaped.

The victim went to a neighbor’s house. The police arrived and found the man near the front door.

When asked where his wounds were, he supposedly replied, “Everywhere … I’ll die.”

The father later told police that Garcia had been diagnosed with mental illness, although the father could not remember what she was called. He said his son recently stopped taking medication.

A forensic mental health report later found that Garcia had a preliminary diagnosis – that is, a doctor’s “strong guess” – for schizophrenia.

Garcia was arrested that night. As soon as he was in custody, he started taking medication again. It was found that he was unable to assist with his criminal defense.

He was hospitalized at Western State Hospital and ruled on trial in December.

He pleaded guilty on March 11th. His seven-and-a-half year sentence was on the lower end of the standard range established by state sentencing guidelines.

Once released, he will be kept under community custody for three years. He can never have contact with the victim again.

Garcia has no other criminal convictions.

Stephanie Davey: 425-339-3192; [email protected]; Twitter: @stephrdavey.