…But Was It a Case of Self Defense?

Shannon Smith

According to Hattieville Police, under whose jurisdiction the Mahogany Heights Community falls, they were called out sometime around two-thirty on Friday afternoon. By that time, Butler had already been rushed to the K.H.M.H., while his attacker, twenty-four year old Hattieville resident, Shannon Smith, was at a house in the community. Police would not speculate as to the extent of the relationship between Smith and Butler, but News Five was reliably informed that the duo was on more than friendly terms. A fallout between the two led to an altercation and subsequently, the stabbing on Friday afternoon. Smith, according to the Deputy Officer in Charge, Sergeant Orlando Cruz, had signs of being physically assaulted and has also made a complaint against Butler.

Orlando Cruz

Sgt. Orlando Cruz, Deputy O.C., Hattieville Police

“So far we have not charged for any attempt murder. The situation is a very touchy one. She was at her residence and complaining that she was assaulted inside her home.  We responded and a male person had received stab wound to the left side of his chest, center area. He was transported to K.H.M.H. and received treatment. His situation right now is critical, but stable. Presently, we are interviewing witnesses, obtaining statements from persons who were in the area. A young lady had reported to us that she was assaulted by this male individual inside her home and the person then was arguing and led to her obtaining a knife and probably defending herself and he obtained certain injuries.  The female in question is one Shannon Smith, she is presently…she had been detained in respect to that incident. We did an interview with witnesses in the area and we sought an interview with witnesses in the area and sought advice in respect to the charge because it is a cross complaint. Mister Butler is making a report and she is making a report as well. She had received some injuries to her face, scratches; she was apparently assaulted by Mister Butler as well. So it is a cross complaint that we are dealing with. Both statements have been recording from both persons and we are seeking advice from the D.P.P. in respect to further charges. Presently our preliminary charges with respect to Miss Smith, she has received a charge of grievous harm in respect to the stab wound and we are presently waiting further instructions in respect to any other charges in respect to the complaint that she has made against Mister Butler and if any other charges in respect of her assault upon Mister Butler as well.”

Duane Moody

“She has made a report against you; that you assault her prior to her inflicting the stab wound to your chest. Can you talk to us on that? Is any of that true?”

Earlin Butler

Voice of: Earlin Butler, Stabbing Victim

“Umm, I wouldn’t say assault in the fact that I hit her. Yes we had a shuffle in the house because I wanted the item and I was going to look for the item and she was trying to keep me from looking for the item.”

Duane Moody

“But never did you strike her?”

Voice of: Earlin Butler

“I did not strike her. There was one incident where she grabbed the same knife and charged after me and yes I bit her on the hand and I bent her arm to take away the knife from her, but that was about it.”

This afternoon when Smith appeared in the courtroom of Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith, she was arraigned for Grievous Harm. There was no objection to bail by Corporal Carmen Selgado and the Chief Magistrate offered Smith bail of one thousand dollars plus one surety of the same amount. Smith would also have to report every Tuesday to the Hattieville Police Station. While disclosure must be provided by April twenty-fourth, Smith’s next court date is set for May fifteenth.