Taney County Prosecuting Attorney, Jeffrey M. Merrell announced today that ABEL RUBIO was sentenced yesterday by Taney County Circuit Judge Mark Orr to ten (10) years imprisonment for the class A felony of assault in the first degree, and three (3) years imprisonment for the felony of armed criminal action. Both counts are to run concurrent and probation was denied. On February 26, 2005, during a scuffle in a stairwell at the Oak Tree Apartments in Branson, ABEL RUBIO stabbed and critically injured KEVIN COLE with a knife. ABEL RUBIO fled Taney County after the assault and was later arrested in Vinta, Oklahoma.

Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Christopher W. Lebeck was satisfied with the result stating, “this was a proper outcome for a violent stabbing when viewed in light of the victim’s desires and the defendant’s young age and lack of criminal history.”

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