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A Groves woman deemed a habitual offender due to prior convictions accepted a 7-year cap in sentencing following a 2020 stabbing.

Barbara Kennerly, 62, accepted the sentencing this week. Criminal District Court Judge John Stevens ordered a pre-sentencing report from the probation department. This is done when a person agrees to a cap in sentencing and typically includes background information and criminal history, Assistant District Attorney Mike Laird said.

Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon usually carries a sentence of two to 20 years in prison and can include up to a $10,000 fine. A habitual offender is a person who has at least two prior felony convictions, which Kennerly has.

The sentence for a habitual offender is enhanced to five to 99 years or life and the DA’s office offered the 7-year cap, which she accepted.

The current case stems from a 2020 altercation in which Kennerly cut another woman with a knife.

Sentencing is set for a future date not yet determined.