‘He Tried to Make Me Stab Myself,’ Says Victim

By Cameron Horne [former] - November 5, 2024
Daily Stories | Domestic Violence | stabbing | Suspects |

The victim in a violent stabbing case testified that the defendant “tried to make me stab myself” in a Nov. 5 trial before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt.

Devan Green Jr., 30, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, kidnapping while armed, kidnapping while armed against a minor, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and simple assault for his alleged involvement in a Sept. 19 2023 stabbing incident on the 500 block of 58th Street, SE

During the hearing, the victim took the stand and rehashed her history with Green. The two had dated for about two years before the Sept. 19 incident, adding that was not the first physical altercation between them.

The victim testified that there were two previous incidents, one in which Green allegedly poured a gallon of Kool-Aid over her head while choking her, and another when Green allegedly smothered the victim using a blanket and choked her again.

Regarding the Sept. 19 incident, the victim testified that Green was upset when she walked into the house while speaking to another man on the phone. Green began packing his things as if he was going to leave when the victim’s family arrived outside the building. The victim had called them stating that she “felt unsafe” at that time.

The victim told the jury that Green was also packing items he had purchased for her, and asked her to take her pants off since he had bought them. As the victim began removing them, the victim claimed that Green pulled her off the bed by her legs, stating her “head bounced off the ground” as Green continued to hold her up by the pant legs.

The victim said she retreated to the balcony arming herself with a knife while Green set up a barricade blocking the victim’s family from getting into the apartment.

According to the victim, when Green went after her, she showed him the knife and he “tried to make me stab myself.”

Green allegedly told the victim to tell her family she was okay through the living room window, and not to call the police according to the victim. 

The victim testified this is when Green stabbed her the first time, in the middle of her chest. She reached her hand, covered in blood, out the window to show her family that she was in trouble and they called the police.

The victim also testified that Green went to check on the victim’s child and she followed. She found Green crying and apologizing to their kid, which quickly morphed into blaming the victim for what had happened. The victim moved to check on her child herself which is when Green allegedly pushed her down and began stabbing her repeatedly.

The victim claimed she used her “last bit of strength” to remove the barricade Green had put in front of the door to the apartment and allow officers to come in, after Green escaped through a window.

Finally, the victim testified that, as a result of the incident, she had undergone multiple surgeries, never regained full use of one of her arms, and sustained nerve damage to one of her legs that forced her to learn to walk again through physical therapy.

The intensive care unit (ICU) doctor who treated the victim also testified, stating she remembered this case vividly just because of the sheer number of stab wounds. According to the doctor, the victim sustained 21 stab wounds. 

The doctor was also able to testify, in more detail, to the injuries sustained by the victim including lacerations to her liver, two collapsed lungs, and about two liters of blood loss.

A DNA analyst took the stand as well, including in her testimony the results of DNA testing on two knives recovered from the scene. One knife was extremely likely to have DNA from the victim on the blade and DNA from both Green and the victim on the handle. The other knife did not have enough DNA to perform a comparison but DNA from the handle had evidence of at least one male contributor.

Parties are set to reconvene Nov. 6 for continued witness testimony.