Ming Hao Li, owner of Tai Yang restaurant in Chalan Laulau, was attacked by Ying Xiu Wen, 40, who later entered a plea of “no contest” to two separate counts of assault and battery.
Superior Court Associate Judge Perry B. Inos sentenced Wen to one-year imprisonment, without the possibility of parole. He was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.
For the other count of assault and battery, Wen was sentenced to an additional three months and fined $250.
Inos ordered Wen to report to the Department of Corrections on Friday to serve his jail sentence.
After his release from prison, Wen will be placed on two-year supervised probation.
Wen was told by the judge to begin serving 200 hours of community service during his incarceration.
Wen was directed not to have any contact with Ming Hao Li and Shun Nu Li and to obey all federal and CNMI laws.
Assistant Attorney General Eli Golob prosecuted the case while Assistant Public Defender Richard Miller served as Wen’s counsel.
Investigation showed that after getting drunk during the victim’s birthday celebration, Wen suddenly hit his head with a bottle.
When Ming Hao Li asked Wen “what’s his problem,” the defendant ran toward the kitchen, grabbed a knife which he started swinging, in the process cutting the victim’s left middle finger.
