Lincoln University Murder Trial Verdict In

WEST CHESTER, PA —Nydira Smith was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of a student during a brawl in a dormitory at Lincoln University in Lower Oxford Township, Chester County.
Smith, 40, of Mount Airy, was acquitted of first-degree murder, which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison, and third-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of Jawine Evans, 21, a student who was expected to graduate in 2022.
Involuntary manslaughter is an unintentional killing and carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, according to Pennsylvania sentencing guidelines.
Smith was also convicted of two counts of aggravated assault for wounding two other students, Clifton Walker and Eric Dickerson, both 22 at the time. Aggravated assault carries a penalty of up to 20 years, according to the sentencing guidelines.
The jury deliberated for nine hours following a trial before Judge Nicole Forzato, returning with a verdict after 11 p.m. Wednesday.
Smith testified Tuesday she drove to Lincoln University to pick up her brother, Malik Stevens, who asked to be picked up because his roommate was in a fight.
Smith testified Tuesday afternoon that she was trying to separate two groups who were fighting outside the dorm and accidentally stabbed Evans.
Smith’s attorney, Gregory Pagan, said in his closing statement that Smith was acting in self-defense to protect her brother.

Deputy District Attorney Bridget Gallagher said Smith’s statements about the fight were fabrications to avoid a conviction.
Investigators recovered a video that showed the stabbings. The video also showed the defendant plunging a knife into Evans’ neck, after which Evans staggered backward, bleeding from his neck.
Smith is being held in Chester County Prison awaiting sentencing.