HOLLIDAYSBURG — An Altoona woman who stabbed another woman inside an Altoona nightclub in late 2021 was sentenced Monday to 2.5 to eight years’ incarceration, followed by seven years’ probation.

Melissa Marie Thompson, 46, apologized in Blair County Court for her behavior and the harm she caused.

“I know saying I’m sorry doesn’t make everything better and right, but I am sorry,” Thompson said.

The stabbing victim wasn’t in court to hear Thompson speak, but First Assistant District Attorney Nichole Smith indicated that her office would advise the victim of Thompson’s apology.

The victim was in court Jan. 13, when Thompson pleaded guilty to a first-degree felony offense of aggravated assault and to misdemeanor offenses of recklessly endangering another person and possession of an instrument of crime.

While Altoona police initially charged Thompson with attempted murder, that offense was withdrawn in exchange for the guilty pleas.

Smith said Monday that the victim agreed to the negotiated plea, which spared her from having to testify at trial and guaranteed that Thompson would be held accountable for her actions.

“Fifteen years is a significant amount of time for either being incarcerated or under supervision of the state parole office,” Smith said outside court.

The victim, who police said had deep cuts to her neck and chest, was transported to UPMC Altoona and underwent surgery.

Thompson, who in court described herself as a good mother, said her actions on the night of the incident reflected her relapse into drug usage. She said she had no malicious intent and the incident wouldn’t have happened if she had been in her “right mind.”

President Judge Elizabeth A. Doyle told Thompson that’s a danger associated with drug use.

“They take a person like you out of your normal self. … You came close to ending (the victim’s) life,” the judge said.

Thompson said her actions also hurt her family and she apologized to those who came to court with her.

The police investigation into the stabbing revealed that Thompson and the victim were inside the bathroom of The Palace, 2314 Union Ave., during the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2021, where they began fighting. Police said witnesses told them that Thompson was accusing the woman of being a confidential informant.

Police said the club’s surveillance video showed the fight outside the bathroom where the woman slapped Thompson and Thompson responded by repeatedly “swinging’ at the woman.

After club personnel broke up the fight, Thompson left before police arrived, prompting police to issue a warrant. She was arrested about a week later. Criminal charges described her as “known to carry razor blades.”

Doyle told Thompson that she will be credited for about 6.5 months of incarceration on the charges, served before she was released on bail with conditions that included electronic monitoring.

Dole also granted Thompson’s request to delay reporting to the county prison until June 30 because of a death in her family. From the county prison, Thompson will be transferred to a state prison to finish her sentence.

Doyle also warned Thompson that any trouble with the law between now and June 30 could result in additional jail time.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.