Fall River Man Who Brutally Stabbed Girlfriend Sentenced to a Decade in Prison

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced that a 23-year-old Fall River man who brutally stabbed his live-in girlfriend last year was convicted in Fall River Superior Court and sentenced to serve nine to 12 years in state prison.

Eric Rivera pleaded guilty to charges of armed assault with intent to murder, aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, intimidation of a witness and strangulation.

During his plea hearing, First Assistant District Attorney Karen O’Sullivan argued that based on the grisly nature of the assault the defendant should serve 10 to 15 years in state prison, to be followed by five years of supervised probation. The defendant, however, requested a five year state prison sentence.

Judge Raffi Yessayan, after hearing arguments from both sides, handed down a nine to 12 year state prison sentence, to be followed by five years of supervised probation upon his release from prison. Conditions of probation are: abstain from drugs/ alcohol; random testing, maintain mental health treatment, take prescribed medications and stay away from the victim.

On March 31, 2015, the victim, a 23-year-old female, noticed money missing from her bank account. While on the phone with her banking institution, the defendant ran downstairs at their Sunset Hill Fall River home to obtain an 8 inch knife.

The defendant first put his arm around her neck, causing her to lose consciousness and then stabbed her multiple times in the abdomen, throat and elsewhere. After stabbing her, the defendant called 911 and when police arrived, he asked them to kill him.

The victim was brought to Rhode Island Hospital, where she underwent surgery and received hundreds of staples to close her wounds.

”This is a brutal case of domestic violence. The victim was lucky to be alive,” said District Attorney Quinn. ”Because of this outrageous and violent behavior, this defendant must be locked up for a very long time. I hope this sentence adequately protects the victim and the public.”