Brutal Northside Stabbing Defendant Offered Another Plea Deal

SAN ANGELO, TX – The San Angelo man accused of stabbing another man at a north side Stripes Convenience store is looking to take a plea deal on Thursday that would give him 20 years in prison.

Michael Penner, 32, was originally arrested on Oct. 3, 2019 after officers with the San Angelo Police Department located a Hispanic male suffering from an apparent stab wound at the Stripes on 19th and Armstrong. 

Officers saved the man's life by deploying a Department issued C-A-T Tourniquet to control the victim’s bleeding until San Angelo Fire Department Medics arrived. The victim, a 33–year-old San Angelo resident, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The assault, which took place just outside the store’s front doors, was captured on surveillance video. The suspect, identified as Penner, fled the store’s parking lot prior to police arrival. Penner was later located at a residence in the 4400 block of Travis Street and taken into custody without incident. The investigation revealed Penner and the victim are acquaintances with longstanding unresolved issues regarding an ex-girlfriend. For more see: North Side Stabbing Suspect Arrested

As previously reported, on Apr. 12, Manuel Penner, 32, was scheduled to take a plea deal giving him 25 years in the prison. Penner failed to show up for that hearing and a failure to appear warrant was issued the following day.

It wasn't until Nov. 3 that Penner was captured. He was arrested by the San Angelo Police Department and booked into the Tom Green County Jail. His current bond is set at $70,000.

Following his re-arrest Judge Weatherby scheduled the jury trial for Jan. 3. Before they could get to the trial, Penner's court appointed attorney, Gerald Ratliff, submitted a motion to withdraw as counsel. One of the reasons stated in the document was that Penner and his attorney "have a difference of opinion" and that they are "unable to effectively communicate."

The courts then met again, on Dec. 28, to discuss this motion. Court documents revealed that during the meeting the district attorney's office, led by John Best, offered another plea deal to Penner and Ratliff. This time the deal was for 20 years in prison.On top of the prison time, Penner will also have to pay $13,580.

Penner has a court hearing Thursday for the court to consider accepting the plea deal.