Parties Give Opening Statements in A Drug-Related Stabbing

By Joseph Wolf - October 9, 2024
Daily Stories | stabbing | Suspects |

Parties in a stabbing defendant’s jury trial delivered opening statements in front of DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow on Oct. 8.

Warnell Reams, 57, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and obstruction of justice for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on June 5 on the 200 block of Vine Street, NW. One person sustained injuries.

According to court documents, Reams allegedly met the victim to get drugs. He returned sometime later to the scene because believed he was not given all the drugs he bought. After an argument, Reams allegedly stabbed the victim twice in his left arm and once in the left side of his abdomen. 

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers went to the hospital so that the victim could identify the suspect, according to court documents. They used a photo array consisting of nine individuals, and the victim allegedly identified Reams as the suspect. 

During the prosecutor’s opening statement, she stated that the victim knew the defendant, despite giving a slightly incorrect name to the police. In a similar vein, she stated the victim suffered from hallucinations, but is sure that Reams is the man who attacked him.

Reams’ defense attorney, Michelle Lockard, told the jury that the knife pierced the victim after Reams pushed him away. Additionally, she told the jury that the lead-up to the stabbing was that the victim allowed Reams to sleep on his couch and stole money from Reams, explaining that they knew one another from dealing drugs that caused the fight.

During the incident, she argued that Reams discovered 100 dollars missing, and went to the victim’s apartment to get it back. She stated that when Reams walked into the apartment, the victim ran for a knife and swung at him. 

According to Lockard, Reams grabbed the victim’s wrists and the knife got turned around and sliced his left arm and poked his abdomen.

Following opening statements, the prosecution called the victim to the stand.

He testified Reams and a friend went to his apartment late at night to pick up a TV that Reams let the victim borrow. 

According to the victim, Reams came back less than an hour later, and accused him of still having items that belonged to him. After a verbal altercation, the victim testified, he was backed into a corner. After slashing the victim, Reams allegedly panicked at the sight of blood and ran out of the apartment, according to the victim. 

On cross-examination, the victim contradicted his story, claiming he did not own a couch, he never let Reams stay with him, and he never took any money from him.

The trial is planned to continue on Oct. 9.