An East St. Louis man who was sentenced to 20 years for the fatal stabbing of his wife, now faces misdemeanor battery charges after deputies said he tried to stab his cellmate

Mark H. Burris Sr., 59, was in the St. Clair County Jail on Saturday when Master Sgt. Thomas Trice said that he became frustrated with his restless cellmate, who was being held on a minor drug violation.

"The victim was scared because he had never been in jail before and was turning over in the top bunk," Trice said.

Burris, who was in the lower bunk, told the victim to stop turning and settle down, but the victim did not. Burris jumped out of bed and stabbed the man with a pen.

The victim was not seriously injured, Trice said. Burris was charged with misdemeanor battery.

Burris pleaded guilty to stabbing his wife on June 8, 2003. Police arrested him inside his home at 1706 Gaty Ave. in East St. Louis. She had recently left him and he was angry.

Burris was being held in the county jail awaiting a court appearance in the murder case.