A Wilmington man who pleaded guilty but mentally ill in the fatal stabbing of a New Castle County police officer is facing the rest of his life behind bars.
Thirty-five-year-old David Salasky was to be sentenced Friday. He pleaded guilty in September shortly after jury selection began in his trial for the 2011 killing of 44-year-old Joseph Szczerba.
In return for Salasky's guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to not seek the death penalty. But he faces a mandatory sentence of two life prison terms without parole.
According to court records, Salasky has both a long criminal history and a history of mental health issues. Defense attorneys suggested he was delusional when Szczerba was killed, and Salasky reportedly was high on chemicals known as bath salts at the time.
Two other officers were injured in the incident, but their injuries weren't life-threatening.
"It is a devastating loss to our department," said Cpl. John Weglarz. "Just like anywhere when they lose a brother or a sister."
