Ventnor man pleads guilty to knife attack that killed woman

A Ventnor man pleaded guilty a knife attack that left his former girlfriend dead and a man wounded. Jose Lopez, 53, faces 30 years in prison for murder, and 20 years for attempted murder. The sentences are expected to run concurrently. He admitted to killing Bessy Blanco and wounding Mark Richart in the Feb. 18, 2017, attack in Atlantic City. When police arrived at North Harrisburg Avenue at about 8 p.m., they found 52-year-old Richart had been stabbed. Bessy Blanco, 54, was found inside the home also stabbed. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Richart, who lives in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, was taken to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's City Campus. Lopez was arrested the next day when a Galloway Township police officer found Lopez driving Richart's vehicle. Lopez has been in the Atlantic County Justice Facility since. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 10. The evidence against Lopez was “voluminous,” according to information previously released in court. Lopez’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2018. Assistant Prosecutor Rick McKelvey represents the state in the matter.