A late summer night of sharp words and an even sharper blade has landed one Dowagiac woman in jail.

Judge Michael Dodge sentenced 20-year-old Tarya Halcomb to 270 days in jail and two years of probation Friday morning in Cass County court, for a single charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. Halcomb pleaded guilty to the count Nov. 6.

The charge stems from an altercation between Halcomb and Dowagiac’s Joshua Gentry that took place outside Vineyard Place Apartments Aug. 17.

That night, Halcomb arrived at the complex where Gentry lived, between midnight and 12:15 a.m. along with her boyfriend and another companion. Shortly after showing up, Halcomb, who was intoxicated on alcohol at the time, sent a message via Facebook to Gentry, tell him to come outside to talk to her.

“Once he was outside, you began to argue with each other,” Dodge said. “I have no idea what the argument was about…you indicated the dispute pertained to money.”

According to the prosecution, at one point during the argument the victim referred to Halcomb with a derogatory term. In response, the woman produced a knife, which she used to stab Gentry in the chest.

As a result of the attack, the victim was taken to Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital for treatment of his wounds. While gashing his chest open, Halcomb’s strike did not any vital organs or arteries, leaving him without serious injury.

While acknowledging the fact that Halcomb’s actions were influenced by her drunken state that night, Fitz condemned her violent behavior, saying that the stabbing could have easily ended up resulting with her killing her victim instead of injuring him.

“This is really scary and disturbing activity,” said Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz. “Plunging cold metal into living flesh can be a life ender…if you have a monetary dispute, you don’t resolve it with the edge of a knife.”

Fitz requested that Halcomb serve at least a year in county jail, if not a longer term in prison, for the crime, he said.

Halcomb’s attorney, Paul Jancha, told the judge that while his client recognizes the severity of her actions, it was the first time she had been in trouble with the law. Jancha argued that a sentence of probation could provide Halcomb with the treatment and resources she needs to address her long-standing issues with alcohol abuse.

Halcomb also spoke on her own behalf, apologizing to the victim, the court and her family for the attack.

“If I’m given a second chance, I promise — I can prove to you that’s not the person I really am,” she said. “I made a mistake.”

In spite of telling the defendant the crime was “out of character” given her level of education and lack of prior record, Dodge ordered her to serve some time jail, both as punishment as well to deter others from committing similar actions.

“Anytime you attack someone with a knife, and stab them like you did here, that in and of itself, in the court’s opinion, requires some form of significant punishment,” Dodge said.

She was given credit for 95 days already served.