Gregory Seipel, 48, formerly of Ludlow Falls, was staying with a friend near Pleasant Hill being released from prison in November when the two got into an argument about the bacon the friend had made for breakfast and the amount Seipel had eaten, sheriff's deputies reported. Seipel grabbed the victim by the back of the head and put a razor blade to his neck, cutting him, deputies said of the Jan. 30 incident.
Seipel claimed in court Monday he drew a knife to defend himself after the victim charged at him during the argument. He said he cut his friend's neck by accident.
He "hated" that the incident ended up in court and ruined a friendship of 30 years, Seipel told Judge Jeannine Pratt.
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"I wasn't trying to be a problem," Seipel said. Asked by Pratt about the men arguing over bacon, Seipel said the argument started over the bacon but escalated because of "my mouth."
County Prosecutor Tony Kendell said the victim never charged at Seipel.
"This guy took him in and was making him breakfast ... He brought a knife to a fist fight," Kendell said of Seipel.
Pratt reviewed Seipel's lengthy criminal record that included convictions for theft, burglary, possession of cocaine and other offenses dating to 1992.
She said Seipel was on post release control from prison at the time of the assault, possessed a weapon and showed no genuine remorse.
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"I can't ignore your criminal history that involves assaultive, violent behavior," Pratt said. "This was somebody who was trying to assist you ... Your first reaction was to pull a knife. You are a troubling factor if you are to remain in our community."
Seipel was sentenced to 14 months in prison and given credit for 68 days served in jail since his arrest.
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