NORWICH – A Morris man who allegedly stabbed another person in the Town of Norwich appeared in Chenango County Court on Monday and began hearing evidence that the prosecution has against him including his own statement where he claims that if he did stab him then it was in self defense.

Philip A. Cuda, 46, of Morris, is charged with first-degree assault, a class B felony, and two counts of second-degree assault, a class D felony.

Cuda refused a reduced plea deal Monday and maintained his innocence.

Allegedly, on May 28, 2018, in the Town of Norwich, Cuda caused serious physical injuries to a victim by stabbing the victim in the stomach and the back with a knife; resulting in the victim undergoing emergency surgery at UHS Wilson Medical Center.

In court on Monday Cuda was offered a plea for second-degree assault with five years in prison followed by five years of probation.

According to Chenango County Court Judge Frank Revoir Jr., 8 to 25 years in prison followed by five years of probation is the max he could receive if convicted on his first-degree assault charge.

Cuda refused the plea and then Chenango County District Attorney Michael Ferrarese entered Cuda's knife into evidence, with the defense agreeing the knife belonged to him.