David Jamal Wilson pleaded innocent Monday to charges of second-degree murder while armed and second-degree theft in connection with stabbing death of his roommate, 68-year-old Howard Venable Jr.
Wilson, 21, was arrested on February 3, one day after Venable’s body was found face down in a pool of blood on the floor of their shared apartment.
Arrest documents state that Wilson told detectives that he and Venable had a verbal argument inside the apartment. When Venable went to the kitchen and retrieved a knife, Wilson said he and Venable wrestled for control of the knife and that Venable fell to the floor stabbing himself, according to the documents.
The Washington Post reported that during a preliminary hearing, a homicide detective testified that the two men were in a relationship in which Venable would pay Wilson for sex. During the hearing Wilson’s defense attorney argued that the long-term relationship was abusive, and the abuse lead Wilson to stab Venable.
On Monday, Wilson’s defense attorney James Beane said Wilson rejected a plea agreement that would have reduced his charges to voluntary manslaughter while armed.
A status hearing is scheduled for October 16 in Judge Herbert Dixon’s courtroom.
A copy of the indictment will be added to this post.
