Barbara Banks killed a drunken man she did not know after he called her ugly and hit her repeatedly, authorities said Thursday as Banks pleaded guilty.
Banks, 21, initially was charged with second-degree murder of Keon J. Robinson, but she pleaded guilty in Richmond Circuit Court to voluntary manslaughter. The lesser charge implies she killed Robinson in the heat of passion after she was provoked.
The stabbing took place Feb. 9 outside the Coalter Street Apartments in the 1300 block of Coalter Street in the city's East End. Neither Banks nor Robinson lived in those apartments, though Banks was visiting someone there.
Authorities said Banks was walking outside the apartments about
1 p.m. when Robinson called her ugly and struck her in the head.
Robinson, who had a blood alcohol concentration more than three times the legal limit for drivers, insulted Banks a second time and struck her again, authorities said.
"Wait right there," Banks told her assailant.
Banks has told police that she then went inside an apartment, grabbed a knife from the dishwasher and returned outside.
When Robinson struck her yet again, she lunged and stabbed him in the chest, causing him to die at the scene of blood loss, said Richmond prosecutor Anne Lloyd.
The stab wound was only 1 inch deep, but Robinson was so slim at 146 pounds that the shallow wound was enough to pierce his aortic artery, authorities said.
Banks later told Richmond police Detective Jeffrey Crewell that after she stabbed Robinson, he said: "You stabbed me. I should shoot you."
Banks also told Crewell that she had been looking to get even when she stabbed Robinson.
Banks' attorney, John W. Luxton, pointed out in court Thursday that his client was cooperative with police. Luxton also said Robinson, 27, had a history of assault arrests.
Banks will face up to 10 years in prison when sentenced Feb. 26.
"The commonwealth," Lloyd said, "will be seeking substantial jail time." ___
(c)2013 the Richmond Times-Dispatch (Richmond, Va.)
Visit the Richmond Times-Dispatch (Richmond, Va.) at www.timesdispatch.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
