Syracuse, N.Y. — A Syracuse woman was caught on camera stabbing and killing a 23-year-old man with a kitchen knife, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Ashley Roche, 22, was caught on camera engaging in an “aggressive behavior” toward Jareek Stewart for about two hours Sunday night, prosecutor Alphonse Williams said at Roche's arraignment on Wednesday.
Mr Williams said Roche went back into the house to get a kitchen knife, then went back outside and stabbed Ms Stewart once in the stomach before she calmed down and returned to her home.
She is charged with second-degree manslaughter and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, according to a criminal complaint filed in Syracuse Municipal Court.
Mr Williams told the court the incident began with an argument between Stewart and another woman outside, and Mr Roche had barged himself into a situation he had nothing to do with.
Williams said the other woman tried to calm the situation and was confused as to why Roche had interrupted the conversation. He said there was no evidence that Stewart was armed or that Roche was acting in self-defense.
Stewart was stabbed once and taken in critical condition to Upstate University Hospital, where he died from his injuries on Monday.
Roche turned himself in to police on Tuesday.
Roche's lawyer told the court his client had recently turned 22 and had no criminal history. He also said the defendant was only accused of stabbing the victim once, not over an extended period of time.
Judge Felicia Pitts-Davis said she understands Roche is young and has no criminal history, but she cannot ignore the seriousness of the charges. She set bail at $75,000 cash, $150,000 bond and $250,000 partial bail. Roche is being held at the Justice Center Jail.
Roche is due to appear in court again on July 1.
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