Dominique Bassil Sentenced to 17 Years in Stabbing Death of Boyfriend

Dominique Bassil was sentenced to 17 years in prison Friday for the stabbing death of her boyfriend, Vance Harris II following a wedding in August 2011. Bassil was found guilty of second-degree murder in Harris’ death in November. In a sentencing memorandum, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Jackson told the court that Harris’ death was a … Read more →

Guilty” Verdict in Dominique Bassil Murder Case

Jurors today found Dominique Bassil guilty of second-degree murder while armed in connection with the stabbing death of her boyfriend, Vance Harris III. Jurors deliberated for three full days before announcing their verdict at about 11 a.m. Friday. The announcement was delivered to a courtroom silent but for Bassil’s tears. “What about my baby?” Bassil … Read more →

Jury Still Out In Dominique Bassil Case

After a third full day of deliberations, the jury is still out in the case of Dominique Bassil, who is on trial for the Aug. 2011 stabbing death of her boyfriend, Vance Harris III. Yesterday, the jury asked Judge Robert Morin if they could consider “question number two” if they could not come to an … Read more →

Jury Begins Deliberations in Dominique Bassil Murder Trial

Dominique Bassil’s fate is now in the hands of the five men and seven women who must decide whether she was acting in self-defense when she stabbed and killed her boyfriend, Vance Harris II, on Aug. 13, 2011. Jurors were sent to deliberations Monday afternoon after hearing closing arguments in the case. The trial began … Read more →

In Trial, Tearful Bassil Says She Didn’t Mean to Stab Harris

A tearful Dominique Bassil took the stand in her own defense today, as both the prosecution and defense concluded their cases in the death of Bassil’s boyfriend, Vance Harris II. “Did you love Vance?” defense attorney Madalyn Harvey asked Bassil. “Yes,” Bassil replied. “Did you want to stab him?” “No. I was scared.” Bassil wiped … Read more →

In Trial, Prosecutors Describe Vance Harris’s Last Moments Alive

In the first full day of testimony in the murder case against Dominique Bassil, prosecutors focused on Vance Harris’s last moments alive. Harris, 28, was fatally stabbed in Southeast D.C. on Aug. 13, 2011. Bassil, Harris’s girlfriend, has pleaded innocent by reason of self-defense to the second-degree murder charge against her. In testimony Wednesday, witnesses … Read more →

Murder Trial Begins Against Dominique Bassil in Death of Vance Harris

The trial began Tuesday in the case against Dominique Bassil, who has been charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of her boyfriend, Vance Harris II. In opening arguments, both sides made clear that the case will revolve around the question of whether or not Bassil was acting in self-defense when she stabbed Harris … Read more →

Dominique Bassil Indicted on Murder 2 in Stabbing Death of Boyfriend, Vance Harris

Dominique Bassil was indicted today on one count of second-degree murder while armed in the stabbing death of Vance Harris on Aug. 13. Bassil is suspected of killing Harris, her boyfriend, in their Southeast D.C. apartment. Her attorney, Elizabeth Mullins, argued at a preliminary hearing that the fatal stabbing could have been in self-defense. Bassil … Read more →

Judge Finds Involuntary Manslaughter, not Murder 2, in Vance Harris Death at Preliminary Hearing

Judge Gerald Fisher ordered the release of 25-year-old Dominique Bassil from custody today, saying that if the court’s high intensity supervision and mental health experts agreed, Bassil could live with her mother while awaiting trial. Bassil is suspected of killing her boyfriend, Vance Harris, last weekend in their Southeast D.C. apartment. Prosecutors had sought a … Read more →

In Video-Taped Statement Dominique Bassil told Authorities she Fatally Stabbed Boyfriend in a Domestic Fight

Dominique Bassil was ordered held today after Judge Karen Howze found probable cause to believe that Bassil killed her boyfriend, Vance Harris, early Saturday by stabbing him. The decision to hold the 25-year-old woman was met with anger and disbelief by more than a dozen family members who attended the hearing hoping for her release. … Read more →

Vance Darnell Harris II Killed in Saturday Morning Stabbing; Dominique Bassil Arrested

An early morning stabbing in Southeast D.C. Saturday killed 28-year-old Vance Darnell Harris II. Twenty-five-year-old Dominique Bassil was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder in connection with the case. MPD’s press release is after the jump. August 14, 2011 Homicide: 3900 Block of 13th Street, SE (Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch … Read more →

Dominique Bassil

Convicted by jury in the Aug. 13, 2011 death of Vance Darnell Harris II.