Violent offender Rodney Harris has been sentenced to the maximum penalty of 20 years after pleading guilty to Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature (ABHAN) last week in Lexington County. Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Culbertson imposed the sentence. This crime is classified as a “no parole” offense.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Solicitor Gill Bell.

The charge stemmed from an act of domestic violence that occurred on September 10, 2017 at the Ramblewood Apartments in Batesburg-Leesville. Harris and the victim were initially in a verbal argument but it quickly escalated. The victim attempted to leave but was brutally attacked with a knife by Harris. Harris stabbed her 11 times before fleeing the scene. The victim spent a month in the hospital, including two weeks with a breathing tube, but eventually recovered.

The Batesburg-Leesville Police Department investigated the case. Assistant Solicitor Bell stated, "Their thorough and professional investigation resulted in multiple witnesses coming forward and identifying the defendant who was quickly apprehended."