A road rage incident where the defendant attempted to stab the victim through an open car window has ended in a guilty verdict. 62-year-old James Sperow (dob 8/16/62) was arrested by Reno Police officers after the 24-year-old victim reported the assault.
While at an intersection on Neil Road in Reno, Sperow pulled up to the victim who was hauling his trailer and started yelling at the victim. According to witness testimony and witnesses’ dash camera videos, the victim continued to drive down Neil Road as Sperow got behind him and began to tailgate him. The victim turned onto Campus Way when Sperow, driving into oncoming traffic, cut him off and stopped in the middle of the road, causing the victim to abruptly stop. Sperow then got out of his vehicle and ran towards the victim’s open window with a knife, jumped into the window, and tried to stab the man. In an attempt to get away from Sperow and the knife, the man moved over to his passenger side, losing control of the brake and causing the truck and trailer to crash.
Police learned through other witness testimony that after being unable to assault the victim, Sperow got back into his vehicle and sped away. A photograph of the defendant’s license plate allowed for him to be identified, and he was subsequently arrested and charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
Deputy District Attorney Lorena Valencia represented the State in the case. Sentencing is set for May 21st before the Honorable Tammy Riggs. Sperow faces up to 6 years in prison.
A recording of the press release for media can be heard below. Mug shots can be found on the WCDA Facebook and Twitter accounts.
