Defendant Maintains Self-Defense in Fatal Stabbing

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A murder defendant testified he acted in self-defense before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on June 16.

Daniel Chapman, 37, is charged with second-degree murder while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business for his alleged involvement in the stabbing of 43-year-old Antoine Ealey. The incident occurred on July 22, 2023, on the 2300 Block of L’Enfant Square, SE.

According to court documents, Chapman delivered four sharp blows to Ealey’s back, arm, and his upper left shoulder.

Chapman was called to the stand by his defense attorneys David Knight and Gail Engmann. He admitted to using a knife against Ealey but argued he did so in self-defense. Knight had Chapman walk through the events leading up to the incident, using video footage from that day to corroborate Chapman’s claims.

Chapman recalled meeting with his friends in the early morning because a friend from the neighborhood called him. Video is aid to show Chapman and a friend who stayed with him that night meeting another acquaintance in the lobby of his apartment.

Knight asked Chapman to describe the relationship he had with Ealey. Chapman stated he saw Ealey everyday at the bus stop and that they would greet each other there. On the day of the incident, Chapman stated that Ealey was acting differently.

According to Chapman, Ealey began to get angry at Chapman’s friend, claiming Chapman’s friends had stolen his possessions. This allegedly resulted in an argument with Chapman’s friend telling Ealey to leave. Ealey continued to yell and curse at her.

Chapman is supposedly seen in the video telling Ealey to leave while kicking in Ealey’s direction.

When asked about the kick, Chapman claimed he wasn’t trying to hurt Ealey but was only trying to get him to move on. When prompted about how he felt at the time of the argument, Chapman said that he was not scared that Ealey would do anything, he was just annoyed that he was yelling and wasn’t leaving.

The video is said to show Ealey hiding behind Chapman’s cousin who was also friends with Ealey. According to Chapman, his cousin had to tell Ealey to leave. Ealy allegedly picked up his bags and walked away. Chapman was seen following Ealy after he left.

Knight asked Chapman why he followed Ealey to the alley, to which Chapman stated that while Ealey was leaving, he was still cursing and said “next time I see that b**** I am going to kill her.” Chapman explained that he wanted to understand why Ealey was so mad and to get him to leave his friend alone.

Chapman testified he wasn’t planning on doing anything violent, but just wanted to speak to Ealey. Chapman allegedly told Ealey to stop threatening his friend, and began to leave when Ealey grabbed him saying, “How about I kill you instead?”

According to Chapman, the two began fighting, which was captured in surveillance footage. Knight requested Chapman describe the fight. Chapman stated that when Ealey grabbed him, Chapman saw a black object in his hand which Ealey used to strike Chapman in the chest and rib. At the time, Chapman claimed he thought it was a weapon, so he grabbed his knife and swung at Ealey. After the fight ended, both parties quickly left. Chapman stated he did not know Ealey was going to die.

When asked how he felt after the fight, Chapman claimed to be upset and said he was glad it was over. Chapman also said when he told his family about the fight he left out the part about the knife, but later told the police the full story. “The truth should be out,” Chapman stated after being asked why confessed.

The defense shifted their focus to after the fight in which Chapman stated that he felt in pain and that his body was burning. His friend took pictures of Chapman’s chest, which Knight showed in court. A thin scratch and a larger red circular mark were visible on Chapman’s upper chest, while his rib was bandaged. Knight also introduced pictures the defense investigator took after Chapman was arrested where the injuries Chapman sustained to the rib were visible.

Chapman ended his testimony by stating he was sad to hear what happened because he never intended for Ealey to die, and that it hurt because Ealey had been someone he saw everyday.

In cross examination, prosecution questioned Chapman about the knife, which Chapman stated hung on his hip and was visible. Chapman again insisted that he did not mean to hurt Ealy.

The prosecution also brought up the taser that Ealy allegedly pulled on Chapman during the fight. Chapman stated that in the moment, he had no idea what it was, just that it could be a weapon. He also stated that he did not hear the buzzing or light that usually accompany an active taser, nor did he feel a shock, just a burning feeling when he was walking back to the apartment.

The prosecution called on the managing partner and founder of Jaguar Exports, the manufacturer of the stun gun allegedly used by Ealey during the incident. The witness was able to identify the model, voltage, and the lasting effects of the weapon.

The witness identified the stun gun as one manufactured by his company, specifically as a N100 mini stun gun. He stated the taser is “very generic,” and is sold anywhere from Amazon to gas stations.

Prosecution showed the witness several images of the stun gun allegedly used by Ealey. The witness stated that at most, the weapon could cause a person to lose control of their movements for a few seconds. He further noted that the evidence of damage to the metal prongs of the weapon at the time of the incident suggested that Ealy would not have been able to tase anyone to the weapon’s full capacity.

The defense also brought in two investigative specialists from the Public Defenders Service (PDS). The first specialist took photos of Chapman at the jail after the stabbing. In the photos, Chapman had blood splatter and scratches on his chest. The witness also provided photo evidence that showed a more significant injury on the side of Chapman’s chest, below his ribs.

Parties are slated to reconvene June 17.