The fatal stabbing of a Bowie State University student by her college roommate was a “tragic accident” that happened as the suspect defended herself, the woman’s defense attorney said in court Monday.
“In that room that day, she was the only one there to defend herself,” said attorney Michael Worthy, who represented 19-year-old Alexis Simpson at her bond review. “There were individuals who wanted to do her wrong or watched as wrong was done to her.”
Miss Simpson, of District Heights, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her college roommate Dominique Frazier, 18, of the District. The two had lived together less than three weeks in a four-person apartment on campus when the killing occurred Thursday, university officials said.
According to court documents in the case, Miss Simpson stabbed Miss Frazier in the neck during a fight over music being played in the apartment they shared. They fought often in the week leading up to the homicide, documents state.
In Prince George’s County District Court in Upper Marlboro on Monday, a courtroom filled with friends and family members stood to acknowledge they would make sure Miss Simpson returned to the courthouse for trial if she was released on bond. Her uncle, George Simpson, described his niece as a “wonderful child” who inspired her younger cousins to attend college as well.
However, District Court Judge Patrick Duley denied bond in her case.
Miss Simpson, dressed in an orange jail-issued jumpsuit, appeared at the hearing via closed-circuit television. She briefly acknowledged the judge’s questions but did not make any statements.
Mr. Worthy said Miss Simpson transferred to Bowie State University this year as a business major from Atlanta Clark University. He added that this was an isolated incident and that she had been convicted of no violent crimes in the past. She also tried to render aid to Miss Frazier after the attack and surrendered to police later that night.
“I didn’t mean to do it, you all don’t know what I’ve been though, you all jumped me,” Miss Simpson is quoted as saying just after the incident in court documents.
An argument between the women preceded the stabbing, but others in the apartment had separated the two, pushed Miss Simpson into her own bedroom and closed the door, court documents state. It was only a few minutes later that officials said Miss Simpson came back out of her room with what looked like a knife in hand, went into Miss Frazier’s room and stabbed her in the neck.
“She got mad and reacted,” said Christine Murphy, an assistant state’s attorney. “Who is going to be near her the next time she gets mad and reacts?”
Citing Miss Simpson’s Twitter page, the prosecuting attorney quoted a recent tweet that she said demonstrated Miss Simpson’s violent mindset.
“I should have stabbed his [rear] the other day,” Ms. Murphy said, quoting a tweet posted by Miss Simpson two days before the stabbing.
Although witnesses said the two women fought often in the days leading up to the stabbing, a Bowie State University spokeswoman said officials were not made aware of any problems among the roommates.
“We had not received any requests for roommate changes from any of the roommates in that suite,” spokeswoman Cassandra Robinson said.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 14 in the case.
• Andrea Noble can be reached at anoble@washingtontimes.com.
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