Judge Finds Probable Cause for Case of Deadly Stabbing in Congress Heights Neighborhood

By Jay McDonald [former] - April 15, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge found probable cause that a woman committed second-degree murder while armed in relation to a deadly stabbing in the Congress Heights neighborhood. 

Wayniece Ellis is accused of stabbing 41-year-old Tayla Wright to death on the 600 block of Parkland Place, SE, on Oct. 7, 2021. The two were panhandling in front of a Crown gas station when they got into an argument. Wright threw rocks at Ellis and spit at her before the defendant pulled out a knife, according to court documents.

Ellis allegedly stabbed Wright multiple times before being apprehended by first responders.

During an April 13 preliminary hearing, the lead detective on the case testified that the 29-year-old defendant said she felt “guilty as hell” and alleged that Wright tried to stab her in the aftermath of the deadly altercation. Officers found Ellis with a knife in her hand and injuries consistent with wounds from a knife, according to court documents.

Conversations with eyewitnesses indicate Ellis was the only one who possessed a knife during the incident, the detective said.

Defense attorney Quo Judkins questioned the credibility of the witnesses based on their relationships with Wright and the possibility that they were intoxicated when the stabbing took place. The detective testified that one of the witnesses did seem intoxicated because they slurred their words and had difficulty standing up and walking. 

Judkins asked the lead detective if he knew Ellis and Wright were in a romantic relationship before the stabbing. The lead detective said he was aware of the relationship.

He said the two would fight a lot over Wright being intoxicated in front of Ellis’ child. Wright was staying with Ellis before getting kicked out for destroying property. The couple was later arrested for disorderly affray when they fought each other in public. 

Judge Robert Okun ruled that the case has enough evidence to go to trial. He denied a request to release Ellis from custody with GPS monitoring.

Parties in this case are scheduled to reconvene for a status hearing on June 9.