Jan 27, 2014 3 min read

A North Franklin Township man accused of stabbing a man with a steak knife after an encounter in December 2012 was sentenced Monday to 20 to 40 years in prison.

Tracy Medlen, 21, sat quietly as Washington County Common Pleas Judge John DiSalle read the verdict to the court.

In September, Medlen was found guilty of aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another and attempted homicide after a jury trial. Medlen was accused of stabbing Brandon Sarasnick the morning of Dec. 29, hours after learning that his biological mother died in Pittsburgh. After being unable to find a way to travel there, Medlen went to a Washington bar with friends. After the bar closed, a group of people gathered at a Lincoln Terrace apartment, where Medlen and Sarasnick met in the kitchen.

Medlen suspected Sarasnick was “messing around” with Shelissa Chandler, 30, of Washington, with whom Medlen had a relationship, and grabbed a knife.

The party came to an abrupt end, and the guests were asked to leave. The two men met outside, and Medlen stabbed Sarasnick, leaving him with a near-fatal chest wound. He has since recovered.

Chandler, who pleaded guilty to hindering apprehension of a suspect and was sentenced to 12 months in jail, drove Medlen away from Lincoln Terrace.

Medlen briefly addressed the court, apologizing for his actions and asking for a second chance.

“I wasn’t thinking,” Medlen said. “I’m sorry for what I did. I want to come home and do something with my life.”

In the weeks leading up to the incident, Medlen said he was attempting to secure a job and get into a local college.

Prior to the judge’s verdict, the defense and prosecution volleyed back and forth about Medlen’s lengthy criminal past. Rose A. Semple, Medlen’s assistant public defender, blamed years of neglect and abuse, as well as several mental health problems, for the way Medlen responded in 2012.

For the purpose of sentencing, the three charges were combined.

In addition to prison, Medlen was also sentenced to a mental health and drug and alcohol evaluation, to be treated for anger management issues and to pay roughly $10,000 in restitution to Sarasnick for medical bills and lost wages.

Sarasnick was not present for the sentencing.

As he was lead out of the courtroom, Medlen gave a quick smile to his family and friends who gathered for support.

While she was clearly upset, Medlen’s adoptive mother, Janet Medlen, said she hopes he get the help he needs and isn’t forgotten.

“I’m not saying he shouldn’t take responsibility for his actions,” Medlen, of Washington, said. “The boy has just been hung too many times.”