CHIPLEY — A six-member jury took less than an hour Thursday to find a Chipley man guilty in a 2013 stabbing case that left two people injured.
Defendant Shaun Reed, 46, of Chipley, was in a Washington County courtroom Wednesday and Thursday, on trial for two counts of attempted second-degree murder in the 2013 stabbings of Dwight Murphy, of Marianna, and Stephanie Jackson, of Chipley.
On the first charge, relating to the stabbing of Murphy, the jury found Reed guilty of the lesser charge of aggravated battery. On the second charge, relating to the stabbing of Jackson, jurors found the defendant guilty as charged. Reed also was found guilty on a third charge, burglary of an occupied dwelling with assault and battery.
According to Chipley Police Department records, officers responded to Jackson’s Pension Hill residence in response to a report of a stabbing on July 9, 2013. Officers found Jackson, Reed’s former girlfriend, lying on the living room floor “in a large pool of blood.” Shortly after, they found Murphy with several stab wounds. Jackson suffered at least nine stab wounds, including one that partially severed her spine, while Murphy’s wounds were reported to be less serious.
Reed was located about seven hours later in a vacant home located across the street from his Chipley residence, suffering from severe cuts to his hands.
Witnesses testified Reed “jumped out of a moving car” and entered the residence shortly before the stabbings occurred.
FDLE crime analyst Jennifer Kay testified DNA from blood on the knife suspected to have been used in the crime matched that of the defendant and both victims.
Reed chose not to testify in his own defense.
In closing, public defender Floyd Griffin argued Reed should face a lesser charge due to lack of intent.
“He was hiding behind trees,” Griffin said. “There was nothing stealthy about his entry. What do you have to support he had intent? At the time he entered the residence, he didn’t have intent [to harm anyone] because he didn’t know what he was going to find. He didn’t know who was there.”
Assistant State Attorney Shalla Jefcoat argued that Reed’s intent was clear.
“He was the ex-boyfriend and wanted to be the only boyfriend,” Jefcoat said in closing arguments. “The knife he used was a pocket knife. It had no hilt, so his hands slid, and his fingers were badly damaged. To be able to keep going shows the hatred he had … [and] the words he said as he was stabbing her: ‘I told you not to cheat on me (EXPLETIVE)!’ (Reed) stabbed (Jackson) with such force and ferocity, he nearly severed her spine.”
Reed’s sentencing will take place in Washington County Court on Dec. 22.