A Lawrence man pleaded no contest today to nearly stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death in an attempt to keep her from testifying against him in another case.

Thirty-six-year-old Rojelio Barron entered the plea to one count of attempted first-degree murder this morning in Douglas County District Court.

In exchange, prosecutors dropped the intimidation of a witness charge he was facing and the earlier aggravated battery case.

Prosecutors say Barron stabbed the victim nearly 30 times in the head and neck at her Colony Woods apartment in early August. She survived but still has lasting complications from the attack.

Barron is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 1. Douglas County Dist. Atty. Charles Branson says Barron will most likely serve nearly 13 years in prison.