Man Charged With Allegedly Stabbing, Killing St. Paul Woman
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A man has been charged with allegedly stabbing a St. Paul woman Saturday evening, killing her.
Willie James Chestnut, 54, has been charged with two counts of murder in the second degree.
According to the criminal complaint, police responded to a call about a stabbing around 5:30 p.m. May 10 in the 1400 block of Minnehaha Avenue East.
Upon their arrival, they found a woman, Towanda Harris, dead at the scene.
Police said a man, who said he was the Harris' husband, told authorities she had been stabbed by Chestnut.
Harris' husband said a group of adults, including Harris and Chestnut, have been drinking at the apartment when the two began arguing.
According to the criminal complaint, Harris' husband said the two had dated years ago and the argument started over their previous relationship.
The argument began to get physical and both Harris and Chestnut grabbed knives from the kitchen.
Both were stabbing the knives toward each other when Chestnut stabbed Harris in the shoulder a downward, over hand motion.
Police said Harris fell to the ground, got back up, ran to a bedroom in the apartment and locked the door.
Chestnut left the apartment after the stabbing.
According to the criminal complaint, Chestnut confessed to a friend who had been at the apartment before the altercation about stabbing Harris.
Chestnut later admitted to police that he had been in Harris' apartment and picked up a knife because he said he "was in fear for myself," but denied hitting or stabbing her.
If found guilty, Chestnut faces 40 years in prison for each count.