Prison time is punishment for man who fatally stabbed roommate in St. Paul

A 58-year-old man who fatally stabbed his roommate in their St. Paul home last year will serve no more prison time under a judge's sentence.

Alvin Rozell Stafford Sr., of St. Paul, was sentenced Friday in Ramsey County District Court after pleading guilty to second-degree manslaughter in connection with the Oct. 6 attack of Randall B. Williams, 37, at the home in the 1500 block of Iglehart Avenue.

Judge Andrew Gordon overturned Stafford's six-and-a-half-year prison sentence and placed Stafford on probation for seven years. He was credited with 260 days served since his arrest and has no remaining prison time to serve.

Stafford was originally charged with second-degree murder, but that charge was amended to involuntary manslaughter, to which he pleaded guilty in July.

“With the key witness to the incident unavailable for trial and other important evidence at issue, the state agreed, after consultation with the investigating agency, to deviate from the sentencing guidelines,” said Dennis Gerhardstein, a spokesman for the county attorney's office. The state guidelines called for a sentence of 6 1/2 years.

Court records show Stafford's criminal history also includes convictions for threats of violence, drug trafficking and violating domestic violence protection orders.

According to the criminal complaint:

Shortly before the assault, Williams was arguing with his girlfriend about missing money. Stafford intervened and told Williams to leave the woman alone.