New Hanover County man sentenced to nearly 13 years after stabbing girlfriend

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A 47-year-old man has been sentenced to nearly 10 to almost 13 years in prison after pleading guilty in a domestic violence case involving the stabbing and strangulation of his girlfriend.

James Christopher Hinson pleaded guilty Wednesday, Sept. 16, to assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, according to the New Hanover and Pender County District Attorney’s Office.

Superior Court Judge Ricardo Jensen sentenced Hinson to between 117 and 154 months in prison.

Prosecutors say the assault happened during the evening of March 30, 2026, when Hinson strangled and stabbed his girlfriend.

The victim suffered stab wounds to her head, ear, hand and thigh, along with numerous bruises and abrasions, according to the district attorney’s office. She was hospitalized following the attack.

Prosecutors say Hinson fled after the assault, prompting a search involving multiple members of the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, drones and a K-9.

Authorities eventually found Hinson hiding underneath the back deck of a nearby home. According to prosecutors, his hands were covered in dried blood, and investigators found a blood-covered knife in his pocket.

The district attorney’s office says Hinson had previously been prosecuted and incarcerated for assaulting the same victim and had been released just days before the March attack.

Prosecutors also said Hinson has a violent criminal history dating back to the late 1990s that includes 20 assault-related convictions.

“My office prioritizes Domestic Violence cases and works tirelessly with community and law enforcement partners to combat these offenses,” District Attorney Jason Smith said. “We will continue to focus our efforts to hold offenders accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”