Binghamton woman accused of fatally stabbing man indicted on manslaughter charge
UPDATE: Broome County jury finds Binghamton woman not guilty of manslaughter in domestic incident
A Binghamton woman accused of stabbing a man to death during a February domestic dispute has been indicted on manslaughter and evidence-tampering charges.
Shalace Williams, 30, allegedly stabbed 55-year-old James Sellers in the chest at her home on Eldredge Street, according to Binghamton police and court records. The stabbing was the first homicide of 2020 in Broome County — there have been at least six homicides so far this year.
Initially charged with second-degree murder, Williams was indicted Tuesday on felony counts of first-degree manslaughter — a lesser homicide charge than murder — and tampering with physical evidence. First-degree manslaughter carries a possible prison term of up to 25 years if convicted; the maximum sentence for second-degree murder is 25 years to life.
Broome County District Attorney Michael Korchak said Williams is accused through the indictment of intending to cause serious physical injury Sellers by stabbing him with a knife. A key difference between the murder and manslaughter charges is a whether it can be shown if the accused's intention was to cause the victim's death or serious injury.
The indictment also accuses Williams of concealing or destroying the knife used in the stabbing, believing that evidence was about to be produced or used in an official proceeding or a prospective official proceeding, and that she allegedly intended to prevent its use.
During a Feb. 25 hearing, Williams' bail was set at $75,000 cash or $150,000 bond. She's scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment Friday in Broome County Court.
How the stabbing was reported
Binghamton police said officers responded to a 911 call reporting the dispute with injuries around 11:56 p.m., in an apartment at 111 Eldredge St., and officers found Sellers unresponsive on the sidewalk with apparent stab wounds.
Emergency medical personnel were summoned to the scene, and Sellers was confirmed dead.
Williams was also found at the scene and taken to the police department for questioning.
Police said the investigation determined Williams and Sellers had been involved in a domestic relationship, and the two got into a dispute before the stabbing.
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This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton stabbing: Eldredge St. woman indicted on manslaughter count
