The prosecutor in the case of a man and woman accused of robbing a South Street jewelry store and leaving their 4-year-old son behind said that one of the defendants tried to kill the store owner right in front of the toddler during opening arguments yesterday.
John Benson and Sheakia Stubbs are charged with stealing more than a dozen rings from Platinum and Ice on Feb. 27, 2010 with little Simir Stubbs in tow. The child was left behind when the couple allegedly fled and was taken to police by the store owner.
Assistant District Attorney Thomas Lipscomb claimed that after store owner Yaniv Cohen gave chase after Benson slashed him in the throat with an unidentified object on Rodman Street and tried to stab him again.
Cohen testified that he did not see a weapon in Benson’s hand, but noticed blood dripping from his neck.
“When I asked for the rings back, he tried to stab me again with a knife,” he said.
Both Benson and Stubbs have pleaded not guilty. The prosecution will continue their case on Monday.
