Amber Lynette Kent | Homicide Watch DC

Cydrisse Alvin Sentenced to 35 Years for Killing Best Friend Amber Kent

Kristian Hernandez — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 15:28:42 -0500

Nearly two years after Amber Lynette Kent was fatally stabbed by her best friend Cydrisse Alvin, family members and loved ones are still asking themselves, "Why?"

Alvin, 33, was sentenced Wednesday, to 35 years in prison for first-degree murder while armed in connection to the stabbing death of Kent in June 2012. Jurors found Alvin guilty in December 2013 after two days of deliberations.

“I’ve been lost and in a daze for two years,” said Kent’s mother Patricia Kent, during her impact statement to the court. “I wish the defendant knew how close me and my daughter were, she was like my shadow.”

Kent would have turned 30 years old last Friday. She is survived by a young daughter who was six years old when she witnessed her mother’s murder.

“I do not want her to relive this because from what’s she’s told me, she’s seen it,” said Patricia Kent, who is raising the girl.

Police found Kent on June 4, 2012 suffering from apparent stab wounds at her apartment in the 3400 block of 13th Place Southeast at around 9 in the morning. She was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.

During trial, Alvin’s defense focused on Kent’s boyfriend Lamarzs Wilson who witnessed the incident, along with Kent’s six year old daughter. Attorney Dominique Winters alleged that Wilson stabbed Kent after she erupted in a drug-fueled anger in her apartment that day.

“This was the defendant’s intentional deception, to point a finger at an innocent man,” said Laura Worm prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Wilson is currently serving a sentence for unlawful possession of a firearm, but he was allowed to deliver an impact statement Wednesday.

“I still don’t understand why it happened,” said Lamarz. “I still wake up and think about her at night and I still have dreams about her.”

According to charging documents Lamarz stopped the attack, but on Wednesday, Wilson told the court he still blames himself for not being able to protect her.

On behalf of Alvin, defense attorney Anthony Matthews said that the defendant knows the loss of the Kent’s mother and of Wilson because Alvin also lost a friend that day.

“They were best friends, they were inseparable,” said Matthews who was asking Judge Ronna Beck for the minimum sentence of 30 years.

Before delivering her sentence, Judge Beck expressed how troubled she was by the information held from the jury about Alvin’s drug addiction to PCP.

“This was an outrageous incident and very hard to comprehend,” said Judge Beck. “At least the PCP gives an understanding.”

In the pre-sentencing report, prosecutors noted that one week before Kent's death, Alvin bit Kent on the head while on PCP in front of three witnesses. According to the report, Kent had to be dragged home by witnesses who also called the police.

When police arrived to Alvin’s apartment they noticed an odor consistent with PCP and as a result of her condition requested she be transported to the hospital for medical services.

A press release from the United States Attorney's Office is below.

District Woman Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison
For June 2012 Slaying of Next-Door Neighbor
-Victim Was Stabbed in Presence of Her Six-Year-Old Child-

WASHINGTON – Cydrisse Alvin, 33, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 35 years in prison on a charge of first-degree murder while armed for the June 2012 stabbing of her next-door neighbor, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

Alvin was found guilty by a jury in December 2013, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. She was sentenced by the Honorable Ronna L. Beck. Upon completion of her prison term, Alvin will be placed on five years of supervised release.

According to the government’s evidence, on June 4, 2012, at about 9 a.m., Alvin knocked on the door of the victim, 28-year-old Amber Kent, her next-door neighbor and former friend. Ms. Kent answered the door in her pajamas. Within seconds, Alvin entered and stabbed Ms. Kent three times – once in the chest and twice in the back. The murder happened in the presence of Ms. Kent’s daughter, who was six years old at the time. After stabbing Ms. Kent, Alvin quickly fled the scene and was apprehended hours later.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work of the Metropolitan Police Department. He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Marian Russell, Fern Rhedrick, Phil Aronson, Ethel Noble, Sharon Newman, and Mia Beamon; Litigation Technology Specialist Joshua Ellen; Investigative Analyst Sharon Johnson, and David Foster and Tamara Ince of the Victim Witness Assistance Unit. Finally, U.S. Attorney Machen recognized the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Worm, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

Cydrisse Alvin Found Guilty in June 2012 Murder of Amber Kent

Laura Amico — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 20:27:31 -0500

Jurors found Cydrisse Alvin guilty Thursday of felony murder, saying that she fatally stabbed 28-year-old Amber Kent in Kent's home in June 2012.

Jurors deliberated approximately two days before announcing their verdict.

Prosecutors had argued that Alvin, known as Meeka, knocked on Kent’s door, came inside, and stabbed Kent three times in front of Kent’s boyfriend Lamarzs Wilson and her 6-year-old sleeping daughter.

But Anthony Matthews, Alvin’s defense attorney, pinned the blame on Wilson, saying in closing arguments that Wilson “forgot every fact that made him look guilty.”

Kent was found on June 4, 2012 around 9:00 a.m. at her apartment in the 3400 block of 13th Place Southeast, suffering from apparent stab wounds. Kent was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Alvin is scheduled for sentencing Feb. 21.

Jury Begins Deliberations in Cydrisse Alvin Murder Trial

Megan Arellano — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 18:22:56 -0500

Jurors began deliberating Tuesday in a first-degree murder case charging Cydrisse Alvin, who is also known as Meeka, with the June 2012 stabbing death of 28-year-old Amber Kent.

During the five-day trial, prosecutors argued that Alvin knocked on Kent's door, came inside, and stabbed Kent three times in front of Kent's boyfriend Lamarzs Wilson and her 6-year-old sleeping daughter.

But Alvin's defense argued that Wilson was the person who actually stabbed Kent. And Wilson "forgot every fact that made him look guilty," said Alvin's defense attorney Anthony Matthews on Tuesday.

Alvin is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Kent's death.

During closing arguments on Tuesday, Worm told jurors that defense attorneys included a sequence of events during opening statements that were "demonstrably false." There was no evidence during trial of recovered drug paraphernalia or signs of a struggle between Kent and Wilson, Worm noted.

Instead, Worm said that the evidence shows that Alvin and Kent were feuding in the weeks before Kent's death and that Alvin was in the apartment complex during the 10-minute span when Kent was stabbed.

Detective Anthony Patterson testified Tuesday that MPD surveillance footage captures a car belonging to Alvin's mother arrive in front of 3402 13th Street Southeast on June 4, 2012, at approximately 8:51 a.m. In the video, a person exits the passenger side door, Patterson testified. Almost 10 minutes later, the video shows the vehicle leaving the area, traveling south on Congress Street. Other footage from the apartment building captures the same sequence, Patterson testified.

James Ford, Kent's uncle, testified that Kent and Alvin were close friends who were constantly "bickering" in the months before Kent's stabbing, including one argument over $40. Ford told jurors that on June 4, 2012, moments after he woke up, Wilson entered his bedroom with Kent's daughter and said, "Call 911, Meeka just stabbed Amber!"

Kent's former neighbor, Willie Harding, told jurors that he considered Kent a friend. Harding testified that Alvin lived on the third floor of the apartment building, along with himself and Kent, though he didn't know Alvin well.

On June 4, 2012, "loud voices" woke Harding up, he testified. "I heard, 'Why are you doing this? Stop!' and the name 'Meeka' more than once."

Harding said that he then opened his door, and saw someone going down the steps. "It was a female," Harding said, later adding, "I thought it was Meeka."

Connie Wilson, Kent's neighbor and Lamarzs Wilson's mother, testified that her son was "hollering and crying" when he came to her door on the morning on June 4, 2012.

Wilson asked her to check on Kent and left the building "to see if he could see where Meeka went," she testified. Minutes later, as she waited in Kent's apartment, Lamarzs Wilson returned, "hysterical," she testified. When paramedics arrived at the apartment to attend to Kent, Lamarzs Wilson was "trying to hold her, embrace her," Connie Wilson said.

The case is scheduled to continue deliberations tomorrow.

At Opening of Murder Trial, Prosecutors Say Friend Stabbed Amber Kent in Back, While Defense Turns Attention to Boyfriend

Megan Arellano — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 21:58:26 -0500

Prosecutors say they may never know why Cydrisse Alvin stabbed her best friend Amber Lynette Kent. But during opening arguments on Wednesday, Attorney Laura Worm told jurors that the evidence will show that Alvin stabbed Kent three times, twice in the back.

Alvin's defense attorneys say that their client is a "convenient scapegoat" for the actual killer, Kent's boyfriend Lamarzs Wilson, who was present at the incident, along with Kent's six-year-old daughter. Attorney Dominique Winters alleged that Wilson stabbed Kent after she erupted in drug-fueled anger in her apartment on June 4, 2012.

Alvin, 31, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed. Jurors heard opening statements Wednesday afternoon in the murder trial against Alvin, who is also known as Meeka.

On the first day of testimony Kent's uncle, James Ford, told jurors that at the time Kent was killed, he lived in her apartment along with his girlfriend. Kent's boyfriend, Wilson, and her daughter lived there also.

Ford said Alvin spent time at Kent's apartment nearly every day and that Kent and Alvin often walked their daughters to school together. At some point, Ford said, Alvin and Kent began using prescription pills together.

About "a month or two" before Kent's death, Ford advised Kent that the friends should give each other some space because of their constant "bickering." Later, after an argument over $40, Kent told Ford that she was going to stop hanging out with Alvin, Ford said Wednesday.

Three weeks later, Ford said he woke up to someone yelling "Meeka, what are you doing?" and he heard a "boom." Moments later, Wilson entered Ford's bedroom holding Kent's daughter, he said.

"[He] was holding her with both hands and he gave her to me," Ford testified, "and he said, 'Call 911, Meeka just stabbed Amber!'"

Tatjana Savoy, MPD Officer, testified Wednesday that she was the first officer to arrive to Kent's apartment on June 4, 2012. On the scene, Savoy found Kent unresponsive, laying face down on the kitchen floor in a pool of blood, she testified.

Savoy said she spoke with Wilson, describing him as "a mess" and "very distraught." He told her that "Meeka stabbed Amber," adding that Meeka's real name was Cydrisse Alvin, she said.

The trial will resume at 10 a.m. before Judge Ronna Beck.

Cydrisse Alvin Pleads Innocent to Murder of Amber Kent

Penny Ray — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:59:16 -0500

Cydrisse Alvin, 31, was indicted Tuesday on a charge of first-degree premeditated murder while armed in connection with the stabbing death of her 28-year-old neighbor, Amber Lynette Kent.

Alvin, also known as Meeka, was arraigned on the charge Friday and pleaded innocent.

Prosecutors allege that on June 4, 2012, Alvin knocked on her neighbor's door, and after being let inside, stabbed Kent several times. The motive behind the killing remains unclear.

A witness who was in the apartment with Kent at the time of the incident told detectives that he looked out the peephole that morning and saw Alvin knocking on the door. The witness went back to bed and told Kent to let Alvin in the house, according to documents in the case.

The witness said that he heard Kent and Alvin having a conversation in the kitchen area, and then heard loud banging. The witness then heard Kent scream, “Meeka, what are you doing?”

The witness got out of bed and ran to the kitchen where he saw Alvin stabbing Kent. He then punched Alvin in the face. Alvin fell to the floor, got up, then fled the apartment, the documents say.

Later that day, Alvin went to pick up her child from Malcolm X Elementary School. School personnel asked Alvin what her name was and a Metropolitan Police Sergeant overheard the conversation. The officer recognized Alvin's name and arrested her on the spot.

A status hearing is scheduled for March 22.

The indictment is below.

Cydrisse Alvin Indictment (PDF)Cydrisse Alvin Indictment (Text)

Probable Cause Found In Amber Kent Murder

Rebecca Zisser — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:49:27 -0400

Cydrisse Alvin was ordered held today after Judge Ronna Beck found probable cause that Alvin stabbed her neighbor, Amber Kent, at the Southeast DC apartment building where they both lived.

Alvin was arrested June 4 at Malcolm X Elementary School in Southeast DC. Prosecutors say that Alvin stabbed Kent in front of at least two witnesses earlier that same day.

Alvin is suspected of second-degree murder while armed. Before the hearing Wednesday she rejected a plea offer that would have found her guilty of voluntary manslaughter. Prosecutors said Wednesday that Alvin could ultimately be charged with first-degree murder, which bears a minimum 30 year sentence.

At the hearing, MPD Detective Anthony Patterson testified that a knife was recovered from Kent's apartment following the stabbing, but no blood was visible on the weapon.

Alvin's defense attorney suggested that the lack of blood on the knife could mean that it was not in fact the murder weapon.

Alvin is due back in court Oct. 26 for a felony status conference.

Comment of the Day: "I wish that they would take PCP off the streets"

Laura Amico — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:27:39 -0400

This Comment of the Day comes from Angelcaldwell48, who wrote in about Amber Kent:

I don't know her but I would like to say that I'm so sorry for your loss and for your family's loss. This is one of the saddest stories I have heard in a long time. I wish that they would take PCP off the streets it's taking ppls. minds and they are not even realizing what their doing when their doing it

Cydrisse Alvin Held on Murder Charge

Laura Amico — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 17:16:47 -0400

Cydrisse Alvin was ordered held on a charge of second-degree murder while armed today after prosecutors submitted additional information about Alvin's use of PCP.

Alvin is suspected of fatally stabbing her neighbor, Amber Kent. She first appeared in court on the charge Tuesday but when prosecutors did not have information related to whether or not Alvin was a danger to the community, Judge Karen Howze sent them back to the drawing board to rework the case.

The supplemental material submitted to the court Wednesday stated that on May 31 Alvin was admitted to United Medical Center when police believed she was under the influence of PCP. The materials also rely on a witness who said that they knew Alvin to "routinely" use PCP.

A preliminary hearing has been set for June 15.

The amended charging documents are below.

No Argument to Probable Cause in Amber Kent Stabbing, but Prosecutors Sent Back to Drawing Board on Cydrisse Alvin's Detention

Laura Amico — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 17:37:11 -0400

A DC woman suspected of fatally stabbing her friend and neighbor had her first appearance in DC Superior Court this afternoon; her attorney did not argue that there was not cause to believe that she committed the crime.

Cydrisse Alvin was arrested Monday at Malcolm X Elementary School in Southeast DC. Prosecutors say that Alvin stabbed her neighbor, Amber Lynette Kent, in front of at least two witnesses at about 9 a.m. that same day. The two women are friends on Facebook.

Prosecutors on Tuesday afternoon said there was evidence that Alvin was under the influence of PCP at the time of the stabbing.

Despite the defense's submission on probable cause, Judge Karen Howze sent prosecutors back to the drawing board to revise the charging documents in the case. Howze said the documents did not include the government's evidence regarding Alvin's drug use and so did not prove that Alvin would be a danger to the community if released.

Alvin is expected back in court Wednesday afternoon to be presented with the government's rewritten charge.

Two men arrested Monday near the scene of the stabbing also appeared in court Tuesday. They are suspected of fighting with the father of Alvin's child shortly after Kent was pronounced dead. They were released and are due in court Aug. 10 for a preliminary hearing.

Charging documents in Alvin's case and the assault cases are below.

Links Roundup: Fatal Fight was Fueled by PCP, Two More in Custody After Streetfight

Laura Amico — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 09:13:19 -0400

Details are emerging in a fatal stabbing that left 28-year-old Amber Lynette Kent dead Monday morning, and her neighbor in custody on suspicion of murder.

Kent was found stabbed in the 3400 block of 13th Place, Southeast at about 9 a.m. Monday morning. Cydrisse Marcha-Marie Alvin was arrested at about 1:30 that afternoon on suspicion of second-degree murder while armed.

WJLA reports that Alvin was arrested at Malcolm X Elementary School , where her daughter attends school.

Reports WJLA:

Sources suspect Alvin was under the influence of PCP and was mad that Kent wanted to end their friendship.

Sadly, Kent's own 6-year-old daughter was home when, police say, Alvin stabbed Kent.

The two women lived across the hall from each other on the 3rd floor.

After Kent was pronounced dead, two men connected to the women began fighting at the apartment. Fox5 identified them as James Ford and Lamarzs Wilson and reported that the men were both arrested on suspicion of felony assault.

News videos are below:

View more videos at: http://nbcwashington.com.

Cydrisse Marcha-Marie Alvin Arrested for Monday Stabbing Death of Amber Lynette Kent

Laura Amico — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 17:28:15 -0400

A woman fatally stabbed in Southeast DC Monday morning has been identified as 28-year-old Amber Lynette Kent. Police have arrested 31-year-old Cydrisse Marcha-Marie Alvin in connection with the crime. Both women are from Southeast DC.

Alvin is suspected of second-degree murder while armed.

A press release from MPD is below.

June 4, 2012

Arrest Made in Homicide in the 3400 Block of 13th Place, SE

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced an arrest has been made in the fatal stabbing which occurred in the 3400 block of 13th Place, SE.

On Monday, June 4, 2012, at approximately 9:00 am, members of the Seventh District responded to the 3400 block of 13th Place, SE for the report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, they located an adult female suffering from apparent stab wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel arrived on the scene and transported the victim to an area hospital where she subsequently succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead.

The decedent is identified as 28-year-old Amber Lynette Kent of Southeast, DC.

On Monday, June 04, 2012, at approximately 1:35pm, 31-year-old Cydrisse Marcha-Marie Alvin of Southeast, DC was arrested and charged with Murder Two while Armed by members of the Homicide Branch for the stabbing death of Amber Lynette Kent.

Woman Killed in Congress Heights Stabbing Monday Morning

Laura Amico — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:17:34 -0400

A woman stabbed in Congress Heights Monday morning has died of her injuries.

Reports WJLA:

MPD spokesperson Tisha Gant says the stabbing happened in the 3400 block of 13th Place SE just after 9 a.m. Police found the victim, who had been stabbed repeatedly, unconscious on the scene.

WUSA reports that police are looking for a suspect in the case. In that report the suspect is described as a "tall, black female armed with a knife."

NBC Washington reports that the victim is believed to be in her 30's and that her five-year-old daughter may have been in the apartment, but in a different room, at the time of the incident.