FAYETTEVILLE -- Jurors are deliberating in the first-degree murder trial of Rashad Santon Brown.
Brown, 19, is charged with killing Cedric Oliver, 19, of Springdale.
Brown was 17 when the stabbing occurred at a party Dec. 12, 2015, at 811 W. Peachtree Drive.
The two had an argument at the party that escalated into a fight. Brown stabbed Oliver in the heart, according to the medical examiner who testified today.
Brown said Tuesday the stabbing was accidental, He thought others at the party were going to attack him and panicked. Brown said he pulled the knife to scare the crowd back and Oliver ran into the blade.
That story didn't square with witnesses who testified Brown ran some 10 feet to Oliver and plunged the knife into his chest with both hands.
Police found Oliver collapsed in the front yard and he was pronounced dead at Washington Regional Medical Center a short time later. Brown turned himself into police later that day.
The jury went out just after 3 p.m. Tuesday.
In addition to first-degree murder, jurors may consider the lesser included offenses of second-degree murder, manslaughter or negligent homicide.
NW News on 07/25/2017