Probable Cause Found in Fatal Stabbing Case

By D.C. Witness Staff - June 7, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

On June 6, a Washington, DC Superior Court judge said prosecutors established probable cause in the case of a fatal stabbing that occurred in a Southeast DC alleyway.

Antonio Jackson, who is charged with first-degree murder while armed, allegedly stabbed Maria Antoinette Evans 19 times on March 29.

Jackson, 32, was identified by his parole officer from a surveillance video that shows him and Evans, 52, walking behind a fence in an alley.

The footage also shows Jackson holding a knife as he walks behind the fence with Evans. Shortly after, Jackson and Evans emerge from behind the fence, heading in different directions. In the video, Evans jogs a short distance before slowing while holding her side.

The defense said the video supported the defendant’s innocence because Evans was seen jogging away from the alleged area of confrontation.

“It’s probably not an exaggeration to say it’s physically impossible for her to have been stabbed 19 times,” said Jackson’s defense attorney, Gabriel Diaz. “You can see she’s alive and they part ways.”

The prosecution said the majority of her bleeding was internal, which would explain why the video does not clearly show her bleeding. According to court documents, Evans was stabbed in the upper body and torso.

Judge Craig Iscoe said he found probable cause from the lead detective’s testimony and the video.

Judge Iscoe also denied a request for release but said that if DNA evidence from the alleyway turned out to favor the defense, the request could be reconsidered.

A felony status conference is scheduled for Aug. 17.