Man found guilty of manslaughter for fatal sword stabbing in Falmouth

A man was convicted of manslaughter Thursday in Barnstable Superior Court after a fatal sword stabbing in 2022, prosecutors said.

James Blood, 43, was found guilty of manslaughter and entering at night for felony placing a person in fear, the office of Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert Galibois said in a press release

On October 24, 2022, Blood entered the victim’s home in Falmouth. Blood kept his hands hidden in his pockets and refused to show them or leave the home, Galibois’s office said. 

The victim picked up a sword in an attempt to distance themselves from Blood. The victim then dropped their sword and engaged in a fist fight with Blood, prosecutors said. 

A witness then jumped on Blood’s back, placing him into a headlock. Seeing Blood was unable to breathe, the victim pleaded that the witness release Blood. The witness complied, then Blood picked up the sword and stabbed the victim, Galibois’s office said. 

The victim died the next day at Boston Medical Center having suffered 19 sharp force wounds, the DA said.

Blood was sentenced to 18 to 20 years in state prison, then three years of probation, prosecutors said. 

A codefendant, Cynthia Rubin, is scheduled for trial in May, the DA said.