WEBSTER CITY — David Hernandez, of Webster City, was sentenced to 25 years in prison after entering an Alford plea to charges of attempted murder related to stabbing incidents in Webster City and Eagle Grove in 2020.

An unknown male on June 22, 2020, entered the residence of Samantha Gray and her then 13-year-old son at 1239 Second St. in Webster City. Both were attacked and stabbed with a knife. Gray’s son escaped the residence and went to a neighbor’s house to call 911. The assailant fled the scene.

Gray was taken to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City for treatment of her wounds. Gray’s son was treated for his injuries at Van Diest Medical Center in Webster City and was then released. This incident was investigated by the Webster City Police Department, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

An unknown male attacked Carl Burras outside of his residence at 400 S.E. Second St. in Eagle Grove on July 10, 2020. Burras was standing next to his car when he was stabbed multiple times with a screwdriver by the assailant. This assailant then ran back to his pickup truck and drove away.

Burras was treated for his injuries at UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge and Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Witnesses were able to describe both the assailant and his truck to law enforcement. The description of the male and truck matched a truck driven by Hernandez.

Hernandez had been investigated in reference to the Gray stabbing incident. Hernandez was interviewed and a search warrant was executed at his residence. This incident was investigated by the Eagle Grove Police Department, Wright County Sheriff’s Office, and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Hernandez was arrested and charged with the attempted murder of Burras.

On April 9, Hernandez entered an Alford plea to charges of attempted murder of Gray and her son and attempted murder of Burras. In entering an Alford plea, the defendant does not admit guilt, but admits that the evidence presented by the prosecution would be likely to persuade a judge or jury to find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Under the plea agreement, Hernandez agreed there was enough evidence to convict him of both stabbing incidents.

Hernandez was sentenced to 25 years in state prison. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the sentences from both Hamilton and Wright counties were to run concurrently.