Murder Trial Of Woman In Lincoln University Murder Begins

WEST CHESTER, PA —Opening statements are beginning this morning in the trial of a Philadelphia woman accused of the Feb. 16, 2022, fatal stabbing of a student and wounding of two others after a fight broke out in a dormitory at Lincoln University is scheduled on Oct 2.

Nydira Smith is accused of stabbing Jawine Evans, 21, and wounding Clifton Walker, 22, and Eric Dickerson, also 22, during a brawl after 9 p.m.

The trial is before Chester County Judge Nicole Forzato. Assistant District Attorney Bridget Gallagher is prosecuting the case, and defense attorney Vince DiFabio of Tredyffrin is representing Smith.

Following closing arguments, the prosecution will begin calling witnesses.

Smith is the sister of a student at Lincoln University who was involved in the fight with all three students stabbed on the Lower Oxford campus in Chester County.

Evans was pronounced dead at the scene. He died of a stab wound to the neck, according to an autopsy conducted at Chester County Hospital.

Walker and Dickerson were taken to Christiana Hospital, Wilmington, where they were treated and released.

The case

Chester County detectives said the stabbing occurred in the first-floor hallway of the learning center’s south wing, which had blood spattered on the floor, walls, and doorways.

Investigators recovered a video that showed the fight and the stabbings In the video, Evans is heard yelling, “she stabbed me,” and clutching the right side of his neck.

The video also showed the defendant plunging a knife into Evans’ neck, after which Evans staggers backward with a traumatic arterial bleed from his neck.

Smith is being held in Chester County Prison without bail.