Defendant In Fatal Stabbing At Lincoln University Takes The Stand

WEST CHESTER, PA —Murder defendant Nydira Smith told a Chester County jury she feared for her life when she fatally stabbed a student and wounded two others at Lincoln University on Feb. 16, 2022.

Smith, 40, of Mount Airy, is on trial in the Chester County Justice Center on first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of a student and wounding of two others after a fight broke out in a dormitory.

Smith took the witness stand on Tuesday and testified that she was trying to separate two groups who were fighting. Smith then fatally stabbed an artery in the neck of Jawine Evans, 21, a senior who was expected to graduate in 2022.

Smith testified that when she learned that he died she was in shock.

“It was a somber moment,” Smith testified according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I didn’t know that had taken place. I never wanted it to result in that.”

Lawyers are expected to present closing arguments today in the trial before Judge Nicole Forzato.
Smith, who is the sister of a student involved in the fight, is also accused of wounding Clifton Walker, 22, and Eric Dickerson, also 22, during a brawl after 9 p.m.

Smith’s attorney, Vince DiFabio said in his opening statement that Smith was acting in self-defense to protect her brother, Malik Stevens, who called her earlier in the day, asking her to pick him up because he was going to get beaten up.

Smith is being held in Chester County Prison without bail.

How did Nydira Smith get on campus? Find out here.