James Holmes, 62, got 12 years behind bars for the stabbing, which he pleaded guilty to in early March, the Albany County District Attorney’s office said.
A 34-year-old man was walking down Central Avenue on Aug. 14, 2025, when Holmes approached him and asked to bum a cigarette, authorities said. The victim told police he said no and walked away.
But Holmes responded by following the man and slashing him multiple times in the face and arm, investigators said. The victim was transported to Albany Medical Center for treatment of life-threatening wounds and underwent two surgeries, according to prosecutors.
Holmes was arrested shortly afterward and initially charged with second-degree attempted murder. He pleaded guilty on March 3 to first-degree assault and avoided the maximum prison term of 25 years.
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