Hackettstown Man Admits Stabbing Victim During Dispute: Prosecutor

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – A 25-year-old Hackettstown man pleaded guilty Thursday to stabbing a victim in town back in January during a dispute, Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke announced.

Stephen Haar pleaded guilty to aggravate assault in the second degree, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon. He now faces six years in prison as part of the plea deal with no early release, followed by three years of parole supervision, Burke said.

Haar admitted that on Jan. 10 he purposely stabbed his victim in Hackettstown and caused him serious bodily injury, Burke said.

See related: Hackettstown Stabbing Suspect Charged After Being Jailed For Selling Heroin: Cops

Haar was arrested late in the day on Jan. 10, but not for the stabbing incident. Police found him in possession of heroin and he was charged with intent to distribute.

It wasn’t until three days later, while Haar was in jail in lieu of $10,000 bail, that it was determined he had stabbed the victim earlier that week. He was subsequently charged with the crime.