Teen Takes Plea Before Trial in Stabbing Case

A St. Clair Shores teenager accused of stabbing his best friend pleaded guilty Tuesday to a reduced charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm before his trial was scheduled to begin in Macomb Circuit Court.

Shane Spatafore had been originally charged with assault with intent to murder for stabbing his friend at a sleepover on Sept. 3. At the request of the family, the charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm was added. It carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.

"The defendant needs to be held accountable," said Steve Fox, Macomb County assistant prosecutor. "This is a fair resolution."

Police said Spatafore got into an argument and stabbed his 17-year-old friend four times with a steak knife. He then fled the scene, damaging patio furniture at a neighbor's house on 13 Mile Road, before he was located by police.

Spatafore is alleged to have resisted arrest, and had to be subdued by a Taser before he was taken into custody, police said.

In addition to pleading guilty to the assault charge, he also pleaded guilty to two counts of resisting arrest and one count of malicious destruction of property. When he returns to court March 13 by Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Mary Chrzanowski, he could could be sentenced under Holmes Youthful Trainee Act.

If he receives this sentence, and successfully meets the requirements, he could have the conviction removed from his record.

"It was an unfortunate incident," said Raymond Covyeows, the father of the victim who agreed with the plea.

Spatafore has not had any monitoring or payment violations while he has been on bond.