LI man pleads guilty in upstate murder try

AUBURN -- A 28-year-old Islip Terrace man has pleaded guilty to slashing the throat of an upstate New York woman who was nearly decapitated in the attack last month.

Christopher Tessitore pleaded guilty Wednesday in Cayuga County Court to attempted murder for attacking Felicia Bowman, 41, inside the home of her friend in Auburn on Feb. 20. Authorities say Tessitore's girlfriend lived at the home.

Authorities say Tessitore and Bowman had never met before.

Officials say Tessitore attacked Bowman during an argument, then fled before Bowman's friend tackled him. Police arrived on the scene soon after.

Prosecutors say Bowman was nearly decapitated and minutes from death. Officials say she has since been released from the hospital.

Tessitore faces 18 years in prison when he's sentenced in May.