Survivor of Rome knife fight details incident

One of the victims who survived Saturday's knife fight that resulted in two deaths told police he was stabbed in the neck and stomach before seeking refuge in Denny's restaurant, according to City Court records.

Alfredo Hernandez, 21, of Rome said in a statement to police his assailant chased him and repeatedly stabbed at him using a weapon in his right hand, records stated. Hernandez reported he was stabbed and cut on the left side of his neck and stomach and on his left wrist and armpit, according to court records.

On Monday, Jameen B. Kelly, 28, of Utica, was charged with felony second-degree assault for intent to cause injury to Hernandez by means of a deadly or dangerous instrument, according to court records.

The fight ended in the deaths of Hernandez's cousin, Daniel Hernandez, 27, of Rome, and Judson T. Watkins, 24, of Syracuse.

Police still are looking into whether Kelly is a possible murder suspect, Rome Public Safety Commissioner James F. Masucci said.

"That will be up to the DA's office, but it's completely possible," Masucci said.

Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara couldn't be reached Tuesday for comment.

Joshua P. Diggs, 20, of Rome, was charged Sunday with second-degree murder for the stabbing death of Daniel Hernandez. He pleaded not guilty Monday in Rome City Court and is scheduled to return at 11 a.m. Friday for a preliminary examination, court officials said.

Four men, including Diggs and Alfredo Hernandez, were injured in the fight. Police have not released the names of the other two victims. Masucci said he can't comment on whether Kelly is one of the victims because police still are investigating the incident.

What led to fight Alfredo Hernandez said in his statement the fight started after a group of people he was with went into the Denny's restaurant on South James Street in Rome to get something to eat.

The fight with a separate group of people occurred outside the restaurant, but Alfredo Hernandez didn't know what started it, according to court documents.

Kelly caused injury to Alfredo Hernandez using an unknown, sharp, dangerous instrument, according to statements from Detective Jeffrey A. Race in court records.

Alfredo Hernandez suffered 2-centimeter-deep lacerations to his left forearm that cut an artery and caused nerve and tendon damage that required medical attention and surgery, according to Race.

After he was stabbed, Alfredo Hernandez was able to escape from his attacker and went to ask for help inside the Denny's restaurant, where he stayed until he was treated, according to his statements in court records.

There was no statement from Kelly in Rome court records.

Observer-Dispatch archives show Kelly was shot in the leg Feb. 15, 2002, inside an apartment at 607 Third Ave. in Utica. The shot went in his lower leg, hit his bone and went up into his hip, according to police at the time.

Kelly was arraigned Tuesday before Rome Judge Daniel C. Wilson and sent to Oneida County jail on $50,000 bail, court officials said. He is scheduled to return at 11 a.m. Friday for the assigning of an attorney and a preliminary examination, court officials said.

Police are unsure if Diggs and Kelly knew each other before the incident, Masucci said.

Observer-Dispatch