Inmate who stabbed a Fresno Co. correctional officer sentenced to 26 years

FRESNO, California (KFSN) -- Wearing a yellow jumpsuit to court Charlie Smith sat quietly as details of a plea deal played out in the courtroom.

Smith will now serve 26 years in state prison for attempted murder on a correctional officer in March of last year while he was serving time at Fresno County Jail on a felony gun charge; his plea means there will not be a trial.

"He pled for an aggravated term to an attempted murder charge and he did that because he was concerned, ultimately there was just nothing but guilt and evidence against him," said Robert Veneman-Hughes, Deputy District Attorney.

The attack last year left the correction officer with stab wounds in the back, side, and head seconds after opening the inmate's door to serve him dinner.

The correction officer does not want to be identified, but the Sheriff's Office said he was able to recover and return to work a few days later.

"He's doing okay today; I spoke to him before the plea was taken. He's recovered but was supportive of the defendant getting a long stint in state prison," said Veneman-Hughes.

Smith will be transferred to state prison to serve his time.

"This is a violent offense and so he'll serve the most amount of time the Department of Corrections is giving out at this point," said Veneman-Hughes.

The District Attorney said the 26 year sentence was the maximum term allowed by law.