Swampscott man pleads guilty to Salem stabbing

SALEM – A former Swampscott man who admitted stabbing his co-worker numerous times during an ongoing feud outside the Taco Bell on Highland Avenue in Salem last July is headed to state prison for up to five years.Chaz Lee Burton, 21, of 9 Elliott St., Swampscott, pleaded guilty to nine charges of armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury and seven counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, a knife during a hearing in Salem Superior Court Monday.He was sentenced to serve not less than three years and not more than five years in state prison by Judge David A. Lowy.Upon his release from prison, Burton will be on probation for another three years, at which time he was ordered to stay away from his accuser, refrain from all alcohol use, consent to random screenings and remain employed.Assistant District Attorney James B. Gubitose said prosecutors were ready to prove that Burton stabbed Derrick Cusumano, 23, of Beverly, eight times, on July 17, in the parking lot of the Taco Bell, located at 267 Highland Ave., Salem, at around 4 a.m., after they worked the late shift.Cusumano was stabbed in the face and torso area, with one stab wound piercing his lung. He managed to make it back to the restaurant, where he pounded on the door and yelled for help. He was first taken to Salem Hospital, and then transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston where he spent a week after undergoing surgery.Meanwhile, Burton showed up at Salem Hospital for emergency treatment for a stab wound he apparently inflicted on himself during the incident. Staff members at Salem Hospital contacted police saying there was a suspicious man inside the emergency department. Police responded to the hospital and arrested Burton after a brief investigation.A bloody knife was reportedly found inside his car in the hospital parking lot.