S. Jersey man pleads guilty in girlfriend stabbing

A 36-year-old Gloucester County man pleaded guilty Monday to attempted murder for stabbing his then-girlfriend in 2011, prosecutors said.

Jacob Rodriguez stabbed Brittany L. Hickman, 28, in the throat, lungs, and stomach during an argument on June 22, 2011, in their West Deptford home.

Rodriguez also pleaded guilty to two counts of endangering two children - the couple's 2-year-old daughter and Hickman's 4-year-old son - who were in the apartment at the time.

Hickman stumbled to a neighbor, who called police to the Red Bank Run Townhomes. Rodriguez was arrested in Runnemede that night.

Hickman spent 19 days at Cooper University Hospital recovering, prosecutors said.

Assistant Gloucester County Prosecutor Staci Scheetz recommended that Rodriguez be sentenced to 17 years in prison for attempted murder, and 365 days for each endangering count. Should a judge accept that recommendation, Rodriguez would have to serve 85 percent of the prison term before being considered for parole. Sentencing is set for Nov. 15.

Rodriguez pleaded guilty as jury selection was to begin in his trial this week.