A Durango man suspected of slashing another man’s face pleaded not guilty Friday in 6th Judicial District Court.

Sean Christopher Giovanni is suspected of using a razor blade, possibly a box cutter, to wound Deion Hudson, an Ignacio man, in September.

He is charged with assault with a deadly weapon, possessing a weapon, fleeing a crime and six counts of being a habitual criminal.

District Judge Todd Norvell scheduled Giovanni’s trial for June 18.

The incident occurred about 1 a.m. Sept. 30 in the First National Bank parking lot. Hudson and his girlfriend left Colorado Pongas in a Dodge pickup. They drove only 100 feet before realizing they had a flat tire.

Hudson soon learned his tire had been slashed, and while inspecting it, he was attacked from behind by Giovanni, according to an arrest affidavit.

During the fight, Giovanni is suspected of using a box cutter to try to cut Hudson’s throat. He apparently missed and instead inflicted an 8-inch-long cut to Hudson’s face, police said.

Giovanni fled the scene, yelling something to the effect of, “That’s what you get for raping my girlfriend,” police said.

Police said they are unaware of a sexual assault occurring between Hudson and Giovanni’s girlfriend.

An arrest warrant was issued, and Giovanni eventually turned himself in to police Oct. 9.

mshinn@durangoherald.com