Police Kick Down Door After Stabbing Victim's Girlfriend Refuses To Let Them In
UNIONTOWN (KDKA) -- A Fayette County man is home from the hospital after being stabbed.
Police say he nearly died from his injuries because paramedics were locked out when they arrived.
James Smallwood, 58, is finally home after spending the last few days in a Pittsburgh hospital.
"I'm getting my wind back," said Smallwood. "I'm really doing pretty good."
Especially when you consider just a few days ago Uniontown Police say Smallwood was stabbed in his chest. His girlfriend, Vikki Cianni is accused in the incident.
Smallwood says Cianni allegedly came home high and started to argue with him. Things reportedly escalated quickly.
"She grabbed a bunch of knives out of the butcher block and started coming toward me," Smallwood said. "After I told her to put the knives down, she lunged at me full force and I didn't have a chance to stop her."
Smallwood got hit in the arm and chest.
"The one in the chest went down and nicked my lung," said Smallwood.
Cianni initially called 911, but when officers and paramedics got there she refused to let them in. They kicked the door down to get to Smallwood.
"I tried to get up, I couldn't get up. I couldn't move," he said.
Smallwood passed out, but was flown to Pittsburgh hospital where doctors discovered internal bleeding and saved his life.
"I'm so lucky, more than I can realize. It was a very close call," Smallwood said.
Cianni, a woman with a long criminal past, was arrested. Smallwood says when it comes to Cianni, he loves her, but it's all over now.
"I've always been by her side, but this time it's gone too far," he said. "She's not worth my life."
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