Were witnesses intimidated before trial for suspect accused of slashing man's throat in church's free meal line?

10/21/2014

2 eyewitnesses no-shows at Lancaster church-line stabbing trial

Israel Polanco-Cano

Israel Polanco-Cano is on trial this week for allegedly stabbing a man in the neck while waiting for free breakfast at a Lancaster city church.

However, two people who allegedly eyewitnessed the stabbing at First Reformed Church didn’t show up for court.

The two men apparently disregarded subpoenas for this week’s attempted homicide trial.

Prosecutors are still arguing to a local jury that Polanco-Cano stabbed the 23-year-old man at least twice in the neck on May 25, 2013.

The man testified that he was stabbed that morning while among 200 people in line for the free meal.

According to a doctor's testimony, the man would have died without emergency treatment. He suffered two collapsed lungs and a pierced windpipe, the doctor testified.

The verdict could come down to Polanco-Cano’s word against the alleged victim’s.

Video cameras in the area didn’t capture the incident, according to testimony.

Of the many people in line only two spoke to police, according to testimony.

And they were not at the courthouse Monday or Tuesday.

Defense lawyer John Churchville suggested that the stabbing happened during a mutual fight.

First Assistant District Attorney Christopher Larsen contends that Polanco-Cano stabbed the man with intent to kill, then fled to Michigan.

Police eventually arrested Polanco-Cano, while he was working on a Michigan dairy farm, in December.

Larsen rested his case Tuesday morning.

 

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