Nassau Woman Found Guilty Of Stabbing Ex-Boyfriend

A Hempstead woman was found guilty Wednesday of stabbing her ex-boyfriend in the stomach at the bar in which she worked in July 2015.

Elsa Marina Saravia-Martinez, 36, was convicted of first-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. She faces a maximum sentence of five to 25 years in prison.

"This defendant brutally stabbed her ex-boyfriend in the stomach, causing life-threatening injuries," Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas. "Thanks to the efforts of the Nassau County Police Department and our prosecution team, she will be held accountable for this senseless violence."

On July 5, 2015, at approximately 3:15 a.m., Saravia-Martinez stabbed her ex-boyfriend in the stomach with a 12-inch kitchen knife while inside La Miranda River Café, a bar in Hempstead. She was working as a cook and her ex-boyfriend was patronizing the bar at the time. The victim was transported to Winthrop University Hospital by the bar owner and suffered a laceration to his bowel which required immediate surgery to repair. He has since fully recovered from his injuries but has lingering scars.

After the stabbing, Saravia-Martinez stayed at the bar, finished her shift and went home at the end of the night. She was arrested by Nassau County police detectives 12 hours later at her apartment in Hempstead. During the trial, Saravia-Martinez claimed the stabbing was in self-defense.

Photo: Nassau County District Attorney