Editor's note: this version corrects the length of the fully suspended prison sentence Judge Strackbein said she anticipates giving McBride at his sentencing.

Sean P. McBride, who was scheduled to go on trial next week for the January 2013 stabbing of two men in North Stonington, accepted a plea deal Tuesday over the objections of one of the victim's parents.

McBride, 26, North Stonington, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and second-degree assault, both felony offenses.

Judge Hillary B. Strackbein told him if he stays out of trouble between now and his sentencing date in December, she anticipates giving him a fully suspended prison sentence of 10 years along with five years of probation and an order to pay the victims' medical expenses.

She said he could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison if he violates the conditions of his probation.

According to the state, McBride stabbed Ashbow Sebastian Jr. of North Stonington and Brandon Brisbois of Ledyard with a folding knife on Jan. 4, 2013, after all three men attended a party at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Sebastian received 27 sutures and required follow-up surgery for a 12-centimeter wound from the scalp to just above the right lip. He also suffered a cut to his lower left chest.  

Brisbois suffered an 8-centimeter wound to the left gluteal area, or buttocks, that required surgery and received four sutures for a cut to his left elbow.

Sebastian's parents, Eastern Pequot Tribal elder Ashbow Sebastian Sr. and Colleen A. Sebastian, were frustrated that the case took nearly three years to resolve and that McBride, who initially was offered a two-year prison sentence, is likely to serve no prison time.

"Justice is not a plea bargain," said Sebastian Sr. "He almost killed two people. It wasn't a mistake. It wasn't an accident. He needs to pay."

Colleen Sebastian said she always told her son to "turn the other cheek" but to protect others under attack, and that her son had done that in this case, coming to Brisbois' aid after McBride attacked him and then helping McBride after Brisbois attacked him with a shovel.

"I just ask for a fair trial," the mother said. "It would make him feel justice has been served."

McBride was also injured in the incident, which took place at a home on Yawbox Valley Road in North Stonington.

If convicted at trial, he could have been sentenced to up to 25 years in prison.

Citing flaws in the state's case that had come to light, McBride's lack of a criminal record and his ability to make money and pay restitution, Strackbein said there was a benefit to resolving the case without a trial.

"In most cases for stabbing someone you go to jail," the judge said. "But also in a lot of cases, there's no money to be given. We have someone here who has a college degree, who has a job."

Prosecutor Stephen M. Carney and attorneys Kevin C. Barrs and M. Fred DeCaprio had selected a jury and were set to try the case, with judge Omar Williams presiding, beginning Oct. 26. 

In taking the case to trial, McBride had turned down Carney's offer of seven years in prison, suspended after two years served, followed by five years probation.

Despite the potential problems with proving the state's case, Carney said he was prepared to take the case to a jury.

"I think, under the circumstances, where there's two victims, where the wounds are this egregious, a certain amount of incarceration is appropriate," he said.

It was the second time the case was set for trial. In November 2014, after the selecting a jury, McBride's attorney, Gregg W. Wagman, notified the court he had a conflict of interest after discovering he represented one of the state's potential witnesses in another case.

The jury was dismissed and Wagman withdrew from the case.

McBride, who had posted a $100,000 bond following his arrest, was deemed qualified for representation by the public defender's office and the case went forward once again.

Sebastian Jr. is attending the University of Maine and could not leave school on short notice to attend Tuesday's plea hearing, according to his parents. He is expected to attend the Dec. 22 sentencing.

They said the incident cost their son a year in college and left him with a prominent scar on his face that will require a costly plastic surgery.

They said they were unable to find an attorney willing to represent their son in a civil lawsuit because McBride was uninsured when the incident occurred.

k.florin@theday.com

Twitter: @KFLORIN