ELLSWORTH – A Hancock County jury found a Sedgwick man guilty Wednesday of stabbing another man in the chest in March after an argument over a woman.

Travis Ruggerio, 19, was convicted of aggravated assault and violating conditions of release. He is being held at Hancock County Jail until his sentencing hearing, which is likely to be scheduled within the next two months.

Ruggerio was on probation from a domestic assault conviction in Hancock County when the assault occurred.

Will Blaisdell, Ruggerio’s attorney, said his client acted in self-defense, but Hancock County Assistant District Attorney Bill Entwisle disagreed.

“The facts just failed to indicate that there was any self-defense,” Entwisle said. “The victim wasn’t looking for any trouble.”

The victim testified that he accompanied Ruggerio’s ex-girlfriend to Ruggerio’s home on Miles Road in Sedgwick to get a phone number so she could retrieve her pet rat.

According to testimony, when they arrived at the home Ruggerio was there and he and the woman began arguing. When she tried to get away, Ruggerio grabbed her around the waist.

The victim separated the two, and he and the woman began walking up the driveway to leave. Ruggerio then ran up to them and told her he would get her the phone number, but to meet him in the driveway.

According to testimony, Ruggerio went into the house and got the number and a knife. When he came back he and the woman began arguing again and the victim intervened.

“I asked him how he would like it if someone hit him,” said the victim. “But I didn’t hit him.”

Instead, Ruggerio stabbed him in the chest.

The victim suffered a 1-inch-deep wound in his chest and cuts on his arm. He was taken to a hospital for stitches but was not seriously injured.

mdabrieo@bangordailynews.net

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