Joseph Scott Liebl booking photo from the Cache County Jail.
LOGAN — A 45-year-old transient man is headed to prison for a violent knife attack during a fight at a local hotel in January. Joseph Scott Liebl was given the maximum sentence after prosecutors said the defendant nearly cut the victim’s face off.
Liebl was sentenced Monday afternoon in 1st District Court. He previously pleaded guilty to aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury and obstructing justice, both second-degree felonies.
On January 24, Logan City Police officers were dispatched to the Super 8 Hotel after a male individual walked into the clerk’s office bleeding from several lacerations. The victim said he was staying in a room with two other men when he was stabbed multiple times.
Officers went to the room the victim was staying in and found two other adult males. There was substantial blood throughout the room. A large fixed-blade knife was also located.
One of the two men explained how the three individuals were consuming alcohol when the victim and Liebl had gotten into a fight.
During Monday’s sentencing, defense attorney Michael McGinnis said Liebl had a long criminal history due to drugs and alcohol. He said his client went too far trying to defend himself.
Liebl said he felt bad for what happened but couldn’t change the past. He expressed a desire to improve his life.
Judge Spencer Walsh said Liebl didn’t appear to be remorseful for what happened. He noted the defendant had an extensive criminal history and posed a threat to the public.
Liebl was sentenced to two terms of one-to-15-years in prison. The terms will run consecutively, meaning he won’t be considered for parole for at least two years.
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