FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) - A man on trial for first-degree murder in the 2013 stabbing death of his ex-girlfriend told a jury he was acting in self-defense.
Tyrone Washington Jr., 41, took the stand Friday and said Justina Smith pulled a knife on him on Aug. 5, 2013, in a park in Northwood, the Mason City Globe Gazette reported (https://bit.ly/1O1uitY ). Washington said he got the knife away from her and “used it on her.”
“I was in fear of my life, so I defended myself,” he said.
But prosecutors said Washington already had a history of domestic abuse against Smith when he stabbed her, having been arrested two months earlier on suspicion of choking Smith. Washington denied that he choked Smith, telling police that he put his hands on her neck to push her away in self-defense.
Under cross-examination, Washington denied that he kicked Smith in the head after the stabbing or that he took her cellphone before leaving.
A state medical examiner testified that Smith was stabbed a dozen times, with two of the wounds - one to the heart and another to the liver - likely being the ones that killed her.
Washington was captured hours after the stabbing after driving more than 220 miles away in Smith’s car and leading state troopers on a high-speed chase. Washington testified that he fled because he feared police would not believe his version of the stabbing.
The trial resumes Monday, when closing arguments are expected.
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Information from: Globe Gazette, https://www.globegazette.com/
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