(WTIC-AM) -- A Hartford man had his first court date in Connecticut today, on charges of stabbing a woman about thirty times and kidnapping her 6-year-old son.
Edgar Maldonado faces charges including attempted murder.
Assistant States Attorney Mark Brodsky told the judge that the victim nearly died after the New Year's Day attack.
"The defendant has very serious charges, the state has a very strong case," Brodsky said. "The victim's injuries were life threatening, this could have very easily been a murder situation."
The 6-year-old boy was found in Worcester, Massachusetts after the Hartford stabbing.
Maldonado was captured later in New York City.
Court officials told the judge that Maldonado has a history of previous domestic violence convictions against several women.
Public Defender Sean Crowshaw spoke to the judge on Maldonado's behalf.
"He does maintain the presumption of innocence," Crowshaw said. "There are a number of extenuating circumstances that we will not be getting into now."
Maldonado did not go before the judge for his first court date since being returned to Connecticut from New York, where he was captured.
Instead he listened from outside the courtroom.