Harry Klages II
/ file photo
CANTON (AP) -- A state Supreme Court judge has awarded $2.3 million in damages to the victim of a savage knife attack and genital mutilation.
Judge David Demarest handed up the decision in the lawsuit of 55-year-old Andrew Lesperance of Ogdensburg. He was attacked in 2008 by Harry Klages II after a party at the attacker's apartment in Massena. The two had just met that night.
Klages is serving a 38-year prison term.
Klages gouged out Lesperance's right eye, disemboweled him, slashed his genitals with a knife and nearly severed his left leg. The judge wrote that the victim was hospitalized and a resident of a rehabilitation facility for 2 ½ years recovering from the assault.
Lesperance's lawyer, Stephen Ciotoli, says it's doubtful his client will get much of the money.
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
