Michael Anthony Coleman, 36, was ordered held Friday on a charge of second-degree murder. Prosecutors say he fatally stabbed Candance Reed on November 15, 2013.
At the preliminary hearing Coleman’s attorney, Nikki Lotz, said Coleman’s actions were in self-defense but Judge Jennifer Anderson called Coleman the first agressor.
Still, MPD Detective Josh Branson said Reed appeared to have been stabbed “accidentally.”
Principal evidence at the hearing was a one minute surveillance video taken outside the Macombo Lounge at 5335 Georgia Ave. Northwest shortly before Reed was stabbed. The video shows Coleman coming in contact with Reed and Reed’s boyfriend, Branson said. They fought and Reed was stabbed.
“The defendant brought a knife to a fist fight,” Anderson said in finding probable cause in the case.
Reed’s family says that the man with Reed was not her boyfriend and that the two were not romantically involved.
Coleman’s family and friends attended the hearing and wrote letters to the court saying that Coleman is an important part of his family, community and an excellent employee. Anderson declined to release him from custody in the case based on the severity of the charge as well as previous convictions from 1997.
This story has been updated to include information from Reed’s family about Reed’s relationship with those with her when she was stabbed.
