Thursday, 4:30 PM
Defense attorney: Woman stabbed boyfriend in self-defense
By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff
Deborah Amado fell to her knees and began to sob today in Somerville District Court when Judge Maurice Flynn said that the man she is accused of stabbing may die.
Prosecutors and police allege that Amado, 36, grabbed a 3 1/2 inch kitchen knife and stabbed her boyfriend John Feaster, 38, twice in the upper left chest early this morning in their Somerville apartment. Feaster was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital. The Middlesex District Attorney declined to provide details about his condition.
Amado pleaded not guilty today to armed assault with intent to murder and other charges.
Defense Attorney Cheryl McGillivray said in court that Amado had been physically and emotionally abused by Feaster for many years. McGillivray said that Amado acted in self defense this morning against the latest round of abuse.
As evidence, McGillivray cited a domestic violence complaint that Amado lodged against Feaster in Brockton. The charges were dropped, however, when Amado refused to testify in court, McGillivray said.
According to Somerville Police, Amado called 911 at 2:12 a.m. and reported a break-in. Officers found Feaster bleeding and Amado originally said that he had been stabbed by an intruder.
Feaster, who was conscious, told officers, "She stabbed me," according to a Somerville police report filed in court.
An officer asked, "Deborah?"
According to the police report, Feaster responded: "That's right."
Amado recanted her initial story, police said, and told investigators that she stabbed Feaster with the knife when he attacked her. When Feaster came back at her, Amado told police she stabbed him a second time.
Amado, who was also charged with armed assault in a dwelling and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, was ordered held on $10,000 cash bail.
