Kenyatta Jordan | Homicide Watch DC

Murder Charge Dropped in Case Against Yvonne Simms

Imari Williams — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 14:05:25 -0400

Prosecutors dismissed a charge of second-degree murder while armed Friday in the case against Yvonne Simms for the the fatal stabbing of her husband, Kenyatta Jordan, on September 13.

"The U.S. Attorney’s Office moved to dismiss the case because of insufficient evidence at this time," spokesperson William Miller said. "The investigation is continuing. Because the investigation is ongoing, we have no further comment at this time."

Simms, 50, was arrested the day after Jordan's death on suspicion of second-degree murder while armed. She was later released that day after a judge ruled there was not enough evidence to hold her.

Jordan, 49, was found in a closed off porch, unconscious and unresponsive, suffering from a stab wound to the chest. He later died from his injury at a local hospital.

On Saturday morning, Simms approached police in the 2200 block of Prout Street Southeast and told officers that she had stabbed her husband because he was abusive, then gave officers her address, documents say.

"He keep beating on me," Simms told police. "He slammed me into the glass and against the wall."

Charging documents say a witness heard a loud argument and a woman say, "Don't you ever put your hands on me again," coming from the apartment unit where Jordan's body was later found. The witness told police that Simms knocked on its door and told it that Jordan was "hitting on her," according to documents.

Simms told police: "It wasn't the first time it happened, but it will be the last time. [I'm] not gonna let him keep on beating me."

Yvonne Simms Released; Admitted to Stabbing Husband

Amelia Rufer — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 15:35:36 -0400

Yvonne Simms was released Saturday after a judge ruled there was not enough evidence to hold the her.

Simms, 50, is suspected of stabbing 49-year-old Kenyatta Jordan, her husband.

On Monday, U.S. Attorney's Office Spokesman William Miller said Simms remains charged with second-degree murder while armed, despite her release. "The issue regarding detention is a separate matter," Miller said in an email. "The case remains pending and is moving forward."

According to charging documents, Simms approached police in the 2200 block of Prout Street Southeast at around 12:05 a.m. Saturday, told officers that she had stabbed her husband, then gave officers her address. Simms made several statements indicating that her husband hit her.

"He keep beating on me" and "He slammed me into the glass and against the wall," Simms told police.

"It wasn't the first time it happened, but it will be the last time." Simms said, according to the documents. "[I'm] not gonna let him keep on beating me."

Simms told police she stabbed Jordan "because he was a big dude," the arrest documents say. Police did not notice any visible injuries to Simms' head or face, according to documents.

"I didn't have to say nothing, I stopped the police myself, I could of kept walking," Simms said, "Y'all would never known that b**ch was in there bleeding to death."

According to charging documents, Simms said the knife she used to stab Jordan was in her purse. Police ordered her to drop her purse and recovered a bloody knife with a four-inch blade.

When police arrived to Simms' address, they found a trail of blood from the front door to the bedroom, to the kitchen, and continued to an rear back porch area, documents say. Police reported that a glass panel from the sliding door between the kitchen and porch was shattered.

Officers found Jordan in the enclosed porch, unconscious and unresponsive. Jordan, who was suffering from a knife wound to the chest, was taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead shortly after.

According to charging documents, a witness heard a loud noise and a women's voice state, "Don't you ever put your hands on me again," followed by arguing coming from the apartment unit where Jordan's body was later found.

Documents say Simms knocked on the witness's door and told the witness that Jordan was "hitting on her." The witness responded that they didn't want to get involved and documents say later told police they "did not observe any visible injuries" on Simms.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 24 at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Russell Canan.

Charging documents are below.

Yvonne Simms Arrested in Fatal Stabbing of Kenyatta Jordan

Chris Amico — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 16:43:47 -0400

A stabbing just after midnight Saturday left 49-year-old Kenyatta Jordan dead, police announced.

Yvonne Simms, 50, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder while armed.

Simms was presented with the murder charge Saturday afternoon at DC Superior Court.

MPD's full press release is below:

Arrest Made in Homicide: 2900 block of Nelson Place, SE

(Washington, DC) – Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch announced an arrest has been made in a homicide that occurred in the 2900 block of Nelson Place, Southeast. On Saturday, September 13, 2014, at approximately 12:09 am, members of the Sixth District were notified of a stabbing at this location.

The victim 49-year-old Kenyetta Jordan of Southeast, DC was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The suspect 50-year-old Yvonne Simms of Southeast, DC was arrested and charged with Murder Two While Armed in connection with the death of Mr. Kenyetta Jordan.

Correction: We've updated the spelling of Kenyatta Jordan's name after hearing from a family member. We've left the original MPD press release unedited, however.