Woman sentenced in stabbing of Mary J. Blige's father

The Battle Creek woman who stabbed the father of singer Mary J. Blige in January will spend some more time in jail.

Cheryl White, 50, was sentenced to 365 days in the Calhoun County jail with credit for 270 days she has already served since her arrest as part of her sentence on a charge of assault with intent to commit great bodily harm.

White was charged with stabbing Thomas Blige, 63, on Jan. 23 outside his apartment in the 200 block of Oakbrook Boulevard on Battle Creek's south side.

Blige suffered stab wounds to his neck, chest and arm but recovered. He has moved out of state, officials said, and was not present in Calhoun County Circuit Court when White was sentenced.

Battle Creek police had been called several times because of domestic violence between White and Blige.

Blige told police that morning he saw White outside cutting tires on his vehicle. When he confronted her she fled, but when he caught her she stabbed him with a kitchen knife.

White pleaded no contest to the charge in September and as part of a plea agreement prosecutors agreed she would not be sentenced to more than a year in jail.

Judge Conrad Sindt accepted the agreement but placed White on five years of probation. She must pay $17,290 to Mary Jane Productions for nursing services for Blige paid by his daughter.

Standing with her attorneys, Jeffrey and Kimberly Schroder, White quietly cried but told Sindt she didn't have anything to say.

Sindt ordered White not to have contact with Blige during her probation and to complete all required counseling and mental health treatment.

Call Trace Christenson at 966-0685. Follow him on Twitter: @TSChristenson