La Plata, MD – A Charles County man has been cleared of felony charges by a circuit court jury.
James Macauthur Spears, 36 of Waldorf, stood accused of stabbing his wife’s ex-husband in the back Dec. 11, 2013. Spears was found not guilty of all felony charges Thursday, Oct. 22. However, the defendant will tentatively face sentencing Dec. 14 on misdemeanor charges of second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and carrying a weapon with intent to injure.
Charles County Assistant Public Defender Michelle Harewood’s client was facing six counts, including attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, assault first degree, assault second degree, reckless endangerment and carrying a weapon with intent to injure.
Charles County Assistant State’s Attorney Paul Halliday argued during closing arguments Wednesday, Oct. 21 that Spears was guilty of all charges.
“He ran out into the street carrying a knife,” Halliday stated. “We know he intended to harm a person. He stabbed the man four times. Plunging a knife into someone is using deadly force. He threatened to kill him. You heard the victim say he heard Mr. Spears say, ‘I’m going to kill you.’ ”
Harewood, quickly gaining a reputation for being a tenacious defender of her clients, argued that a man’s home is his castle and her client believed he was defending his wife and his home when the woman’s ex-husband who had a history of abuse and PCP use arrived at Mr. Spear’s home at 10 p.m. Dec. 11.
The jury obviously sympathized with her arguments, delivering its verdict around 7 p.m. Thursday.
Spears will remain free until his sentencing.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com