BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- The injuries were serious -- two stab wounds to the shoulder, one to the back of the neck. But defense counsel argued Isaiah Ratcliff inflicted them in self-defense as he fought against an uninvited guest who'd overstayed their welcome and was choking him. On Thursday, a jury acquitted Ratcliff, 34, of attempted murder and convicted him of assault with a deadly weapon. He faces up to four years in prison. "The jury understood and considered the context and circumstances surrounding this incident," according to a release sent by the Kern County Public Defender's Office. "Tensions, frustrations, and emotions can run high -- and there was a conflict between two people -- it just wasn't attempted murder." On Aug. 19, police called to an apartment in the 400 block of 20th Street found the wounded person and located a knife "bent from apparent force," according to the release. Ratcliff was arrested. 1 dead in Belle Terrace Park shooting At trial, Deputy Public Defender Kate Lee said the person showed up at Ratcliff's apartment without notice. The person's utilities had been shut off, and the person planned to crash at Ratcliff's place indefinitely. Tensions rose, and an argument turned physical when the person forced Ratcliff against a balcony railing and choked him, according to the release. Ratcliff had earlier grabbed a kitchen knife -- he stabbed the person in self-defense, the release says. A sentencing date was not yet scheduled.