Man Convicted in Road Rage Stabbing of Couple at Bethesda Mall

A road rage confrontation at Westfield Montgomery Mall that ended with two persons being stabbed has resulted in the conviction of a Potomac man who faces up to 165 years in prison.

David Goldberg, 25, was convicted Wednesday on nine of 15 counts, including first- and second-degree assault and attempted voluntary manslaughter, reports WJLA TV. The jury acquitted Goldberg of two counts each of first- and second-degree attempted murder.

Police said the incident began Nov. 14 when Goldberg argued with two other drivers outside the Macy’s entrance at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda over who had the right-of-way at an intersection.

Witnesses said Goldberg and the victims could be heard shouting expletives at each other before the stabbing. Goldberg’s vehicle almost hit the victim’s vehicle at a stop sign on the ring road that circles the mall.

BethesdaNow reports that victims Rachel Peterson and her boyfriend Clifton Botts followed Goldberg and got out of their car to approach Goldberg, but he sped off. After the couple parked and started walking to the Sears store with Peterson’s mother and child, they heard Goldberg racing toward them.

Goldberg hit a parked car before again arguing with Botts and stabbing him in the back, left cheek and arm. Goldberg reportedly stabbed Peterson in the stomach as she was trying to break up the fight.

Goldberg’s two-year-old daughter was in his car throughout the encounter, police said.

After the verdict, family members of Goldberg and the two stabbing victims apologized to each other over the incident and even hugged, WJLA says.

Goldberg faces a maximum sentence of 165 years in prison when he is sentenced on Dec. 18.

» David Benjamin Goldberg PHOTO | Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office