Man pleads guilty to attempted homicide after breaking into ex-wife’s home, stabbing her in front of her children, DA says | Bethlehem Area

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A Bethlehem man who broke into his ex-wife’s home and stabbed her in front of her two children has pleaded guilty to attempted homicide and learned his sentence.

On Tuesday, Jose Antonio Ramirez-Duran entered a plea of guilty to Attempted Homicide, Burglary, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, according to a news release from Northampton County District Attorney Stephen G. Baratta.

Baratta says Ramirez-Duran was sentenced to 15-40 years in state prison.

On June 9, 2024, at approximately 3:10 p.m., Bethlehem City Police responded to a report of an active assault where the victim was stabbed by her ex-husband, who was later identified as Ramirez-Duran.

Upon arrival, police say they located the victim and observed cutting and stab wounds to the victim’s neck, chest, and back. The victim was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Authorities say upon further investigation, police learned that Ramirez-Duran arrived at the victim’s residence and physically forced entry into the residence. Ramirez-Duran then began physically assaulting the victim, then stabbed the victim in the chest, before pulling the victim to a separate area of the residence and stabbing her in the neck.

The victim’s two juvenile children were in the residence at the time and witnessed the attack, according to Baratta.

The DA says Ramirez-Duran was charged with Attempted Criminal Homicide, Burglary, Aggravated Assault, and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Following one day of trial, Ramirez-Duran entered a plea of guilty to Attempted Homicide, Burglary, and the two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

Ramirez-Duran was sentenced to 9 to 20 years for the charge of Attempted Homicide, 5 to 18 years for the charge of Burglary, and 6 to 12 months for each count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, for a total sentence of 15 to 40 years, the release says.

This case was investigated by Detective Sergeant Peter Labiak of the Bethlehem City Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ellen Kingsley and Assistant District Attorney Anastasia Elias.