Tools

Dames rejects second plea deal in fatal Rome stabbing

By HILARY LANE

Story Created: Feb 27, 2012 at 1:15 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 27, 2012 at 1:22 PM EDT

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Terrance Dames, the man accused of stabbing 20-year-old Stephan LaPointe of Rome to death, was in Oneida County Court in Utica on Monday where he rejected a plea offer made by the district attorney's office.

This is the second plea offer Dames has turned down.

The case was originally assigned to Judge Barry Donalty, but a conflict of interest arose when the original prosecutor in this case began working as Donalty's law clerk. Now, Judge Michael Dwyer is handling the case and a new offer was put on the table.

"I'm a new prosecutor assigned to the case. A new judge is assigned to the case, so as a matter of reviewing it and having the judge take a look, I made an offer that I thought was appropriate," says Robert Bauer, Assistant District Attorney now handling the case for the prosecution.

Dames is charged with first-degree murder and faces 25 years to life in prison.

He will appear back in court Wednesday, February 29 for a Huntley Hearing.

What's On