FAYETTEVILLE -- A homeless man accused in a south Fayetteville stabbing death pleaded innocent Friday in Washington County Circuit Court.
Police found the body of Anthony Dell Jackson, 58, under a pavilion about 11:15 p.m. Aug. 31 at Walker Park, 10 W. 15th St., according to a police report. Jackson had been stabbed in the neck and head, police spokesman Sgt. Craig Stout said.
Jimmy Lee Hancock, 46, pleaded innocent Friday to charges of first-degree murder, aggravated assault and terroristic threatening. He was given a Nov. 24 trial date. First-degree murder is punishable by 10 to 40 years or life in prison.
Hancock was arrested the same night as the killing and booked Sept. 1 into the Washington County jail. He was found near a knife and Jackson's body, according to the police report. He appeared to have blood on him, according to the report.
A witness told police Hancock had been involved in an assault and threatening incident before Jackson's death.
The witness told police Hancock held a knife to his chest because he refused to drink with Hancock, according to police. The witness described a knife similar to what was recovered near Jackson.
The witness told police he saw Jackson and Hancock together before a police officer arrived on patrol.
Hancock told police he was at the pavilion with Jackson and the witness, but he didn't remember how Jackson died. Hancock also told police he didn't assault the witness.
Both Jackson and Hancock were homeless, police said.
Hancock was being held at the Washington County jail Friday in lieu of a $250,000 bond.
Metro on 10/03/2015