Lawrence Police Sgt. Trent McKinley, right, talks with an officer on scene at the Super 8, 515 McDonald Drive, on June 24, 2015, after a stabbing victim was found just inside the building's front doors.

A Shawnee man pleaded no contest Thursday to two felony charges after police said he stabbed his wife twice last summer.

Navinkumar Patel, 46, was arrested in late June of 2015. He is accused of stabbing his wife in the abdomen at Lawrence’s Super 8 motel, 515 McDonald Drive, which he owns.

Navinkumar Patel

Three previous plea hearings were rescheduled for Patel since late January.

A native of India, Patel requires an interpreter to translate court proceedings, which created logistical problems, requiring the previous hearings to be rescheduled.

Initially Patel faced one felony charge of attempted first-degree murder, but Thursday afternoon prosecuting attorney CJ Rieg amended the charges to one felony count of attempted second-degree murder and a felony count of criminal threats.

Douglas County District Court Judge Robert Fairchild accepted Patel’s plea and found him guilty of attempted second-degree murder and criminal threats.

Depending on Patel’s criminal history, he could face a maximum 22 years in prison, Fairchild said.

Fairchild ordered a pre-sentence investigation and ordered Patel committed to Larned State Hospital for a mental health evaluation. Both the investigation and evaluation will be considered before Patel is sentenced, Fairchild said.

Patel is scheduled to appear in court at 2:30 p.m. May 6, when the results of his pre-sentence investigation and evaluation will be considered.