Mass. woman sentenced to time served for stabbing another woman in Waterbury

July 2, 2026

BARRE — A Massachusetts woman has been sentenced to time served and placed on probation for stabbing another woman at a Waterbury hotel.

Courtney Lynn Muchugu, 32, of Worcester, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty Monday in Washington County criminal court in Barre to a felony count of aggravated assault. Muchugu was sentenced to one to seven years, all suspended except for 32 days to serve, with credit for 32 days served. She also was placed on probation for 10 years and must complete 100 hours of community service.

Washington County State’s Attorney Michelle Donnelly agreed to dismiss a felony count of second-degree attempted murder that Muchugu had been facing, per the plea agreement.

According to court records, Muchugu and her romantic partner were at a hotel in Waterbury in June 2025 when the victim, who is the ex-girlfriend of Muchugu’s partner, arrived and got into a confrontation with Muchugu. Police said Muchugu reported the victim had been harassing her in Massachusetts, and she believed the victim came to Waterbury to fight Muchugu.

Police said surveillance footage from the hotel showed the victim trying to get at Muchugu, but she was blocked by Muchugu’s partner. The footage then showed Muchugu lunging at the victim with a knife, according to court records. Police said Muchugu was seen about a minute later on the footage laughing and sticking her tongue out.

Police said the victim approached hotel staff and reported her injury. Court records included graphic photos from the hotel surveillance system of the victim showing what appeared to be her organs coming out of a stab wound.

Police said the knife used had a curved blade.

In court Monday, the victim, appearing remotely, said she wanted Muchugu to spend more time in prison and the plea agreement was too lenient. The victim said it was her understanding that Muchugu was supposed to receive a sentence of a year in prison.

She said she’s still dealing with her injuries from the incident. The victim said she now has to look at a scar every day that runs from her bellybutton up her stomach, which causes her to feel insecure.

“I don’t know, I just feel like it’s too lenient for her,” the victim said.

Donnelly said she understands the victim is disappointed with the sentence. She said her office has been in communication with the victim as the case has moved through the system over the last year, and the victim was told about some sentences that the state was offering for Muchugu, including a sentence with more prison time, but the attorneys reached this agreement through negotiations.

Donnelly said the state believes this agreement is a just resolution to the case. She said Muchugu has no prior criminal record, and this case was one violent incident that happened a year ago. Donnelly said Muchugu has been on strict conditions of release after spending a month incarcerated. She said with this agreement, Muchugu will have a serious felony conviction on her record and has a sentence of one to seven years hanging over her head.

She said Muchugu’s probation conditions include participating in mental health counseling, staying away from the victim, and Muchugu cannot possess dangerous weapons. When looking at all the evidence and what a trial in this case might look like, given the context of what happened here, the prosecutor said the state came to the conclusion that this agreement is an appropriate outcome for these charges.

Muchugu’s attorney, Avi Springer, said while this case has a concerning and alarming set of facts, this resolution was reached while considering what led up to this incident. Springer said the victim threatened Muchugu, followed her to Vermont, and chased her in the hotel, which led to this exchange.

The defense attorney said his client is accepting responsibility for causing the victim serious bodily injury. Had the case gone to trial, Springer said self defense would have been brought up. He said she’s waiving a self-defense claim and pleading guilty.

He said Muchugu has been working and volunteering while out on conditions of release and had to escape an abusive relationship shortly after these charges were filed. Springer said the time Muchugu spent in prison made an impression on her.

Muchugu declined to speak when given the opportunity Monday.

Judge Michael Harris said he would accept the guilty plea and impose the sentence. The judge said Muchugu has no prior criminal history.

He said the victim was left with serious injuries, and beyond her physical injuries, the mental and emotional scars she’s now dealing with. But he said there’s information in the case about alleged threats from the victim toward Muchugu, and Muchugu reported she was concerned for her safety.

He said Muchugu will be responsible for paying the victim restitution for her medical bills.

The judge noted Muchugu has been on conditions of release for nearly a year, including a condition that she remain in Vermont while the case was pending, and she abided by those conditions.

Judge Harris said while the victim is disappointed with the sentence, he finds the agreement an appropriate resolution to the case, given the context.