Fernando Hughley pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of aggravated assault on Tuesday in an incident that was precipitated by an argument over one man allegedly stealing cigarettes from another.
Hughley, 56, had been charged with attempted first-degree murder after he cut Charles Green with a box cutter on May 6, 2011.
Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman told Hughley he would have faced from 25-40 years in prison had he been convicted as charged as a Range 2 offender.
Under the plea, Hughley was given a six-year sentence.
It was suspended based on the year he had spent in the workhouse before making bond.
Police said Green had a severe laceration to the lower left side of his face. The wound was two inches from the carotid artery in his neck. He also had a four-inch cut on the top of his head.
Witnesses said he and Hughley had argued in several different locations, starting at the 800 block of W. 13th Street, where Hughley had been drinking with a female and Green came over and joined in the drinking.
One witness said Hughley became angry when Green put his arm on his shoulder while the argument was going on.
Prosecutor Lance Pope said Hughley left and Green followed him. He said at 803 W. Main St. that Green pushed him and then Hughley gave him a beating. He said Hughley then pulled the box cutter and began cutting the victim. The female urged him to stop the attack, and he eventually did.
Police said Hughley resisted when they were taking him into custody.
Prosecutor Pope said Green told him that Hughley "is not that bad of a guy when he is not drinking."
Hughley was represented by Bill Speek and Chrissy Mincy.