Tammy Mathis-Lawrence continued to be held without bail

By D.C. Witness Staff - March 3, 2016
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

A judge on Tuesday ordered Tammy Mathis-Lawrence, 41, to remain held without bail.

Lawrence has been charged with second-degree murder while armed for the murder of Ricardo Dasilva, 30.

While in court, Lawrence’s lawyers argued against the government acquiring access to Lawrence’s mental health records and statements made by the Lawrence regarding the Jan. 23 homicide. Lawrence’s lawyers stated that the defendant was on the record saying the homicide was an act of self-defense, and therefore court does not need access to her statements made regarding to the crime. However, the prosecution disagreed with Lawrence’s defense and argued that the self-defense claim was not conclusive, and they have the right to access Lawrence’s statements made about the crime.

According to Lawrence’s arrest warrant, Lawrence told the investigating officers that she “didn’t mean to kill [Dasilva.]” Lawrence also told officers that she was upset that the people living in her home “weren’t pulling their weight,” which led to the confrontation between Dasilva, a tenant, and Lawrence. As the two were discussing their housing disagreements, the conversation escalated into an altercation, according to the warrant. Lawrence allegedly told police she retrieved a pair of scissors from her bra, when Dasilva put his hand on her chest and “reached for her throat.” It was at this time that Lawrence then stabbed Dasilva in the neck with the scissors, removed them and walked to a neighbor’s house to call the police.

Inside Lawrence’s residence, officers located Dasilva’s girlfriend and roommate. The girlfriend told officers that Lawrence knocked on Dasilva’s bedroom door and asked to borrow his cell phone, which he obliged. Lawrence then reportedly made a call that the girlfriend overheard, in which Lawrence allegedly said she was “going to cut or slice [Dasilva]”. Lawrence then hung up, and went into her bedroom, with Dasilva following her asking not to be “put out” in regards to their housing disagreement. The girlfriend told police that Lawrence had scissors in her hand, and stabbed Dasilva during a heated argument.

Officers also located a second witness, who is Lawrence’s boyfriend and roommate. According to Lawrence’s boyfriend, Lawrence woke up early on the day of the homicide and went into Dasilva and his girlfriend’s room to speak with them about not “pulling their own weight” around the house. The boyfriend told police Lawrence returned to their bedroom. Dasilva came in shortly afterwards, “fussing and yelling” at Lawrence. He then told officers that Lawrence was forced against a window by Dasilva, when she stabbed him in an act of self-defense and called the police for help.

Lawrence is scheduled to appear in court April 14.