The Erie man charged in connection with a February 2025 stabbing in the City of Erie has waived one charge over, which he’s agreed to plead guilty to.
According to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, 56-year-old Jose Cruz waived his preliminary hearing on September 17 and, in doing so, agreed to plead guilty to one count of felony aggravated assault that carries a 1.5-5 year prison sentence.
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With that guilty plea, prosecutors withdrew attempted murder and another aggravated assault charge, along with four related misdemeanor charges.
Cruz was arrested on February 16, 2026, after police said he stabbed a man multiple times in the neck, chest and head who walked into UPMC Hamot that afternoon.
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Prior to the stabbing, police said the victim reported working on a car in the 1100 block of East 26th Street when he and Cruz got into an argument.
No date was listed in online court documents for when he’s set to appear in court again as he remains in custody on $150,000 bond.
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