ORLANDO, Fla. — A judge ruled Tuesday that Deaveon Brown, the man accused of stabbing another man in downtown Orlando, will remain in jail without bond on the most serious charge filed against him.
Brown, 28, is charged in the Friday night stabbing of Kevin Newhard near Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard. Orlando police have said Newhard is expected to survive.
During a pretrial detention hearing, the judge found prosecutors had shown a substantial probability that Brown committed a dangerous felony, but said there was not a substantial probability of premeditation at this stage of the case. The judge found a substantial probability that Brown committed either attempted second-degree murder or aggravated battery causing great bodily harm with a weapon.
The judge said he considered Brown’s self-defense claim but found a substantial probability that it would not apply, citing video evidence and the possibility that Brown either possessed the knife before the struggle or could have retreated. He said the defense can ask him to revisit the issue if new evidence emerges.
He also said no conditions of release would adequately protect the community, citing both the alleged crime and Brown’s criminal history, which includes convictions for armed robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Police have said Brown was released from prison days before the stabbing.
Bond was set at $50,000 on the aggravated battery count and $5,000 each on two other counts, but Brown remains held without bond on the attempted murder charge.
What the detective testified
Orlando police Detective John Dalles of the Violent Crimes Unit testified that Brown told him he was waiting for an Uber when Newhard stopped on a bicycle and the two began arguing. According to Brown’s statement, Newhard pulled a knife first.
The detective said video shows Newhard throw the knife to the ground, swing a belt at Brown about four times and fall near the curb. He testified that Brown, holding the knife, then closed a gap of six to eight feet, pulled it from its sheath, stood over Newhard and stabbed him. Dalles said Newhard suffered four stab wounds, including one that struck his liver.
Both sides
Prosecutors argued Brown could have left once the knife was on the ground.
“When the victim throws the weapon down, your honor, that’s when the threat’s neutralized,” the prosecutor said.
Brown’s attorney argued the stabbing was an act of self-defense.
“The victim is the one who is the instigator of this incident and the initial aggressor,” the attorney said.
The defense argued Newhard pulled Brown to the ground and that Brown picked up the knife afterward.
Prosecutors said the video shows Brown already holding the knife when he moved toward Newhard.
Brown’s mother, Stacy Brown-Lewis, testified that her son had been living with her and that family members would help post bond if he were released.
“He’s willing to get his life straight,” she said.
The charges and the 911 call
Brown is charged with attempted first-degree murder with a weapon, aggravated battery with a weapon, use of a weapon in the commission of a felony and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Orlando police say someone called at 10:10 p.m. Friday to report a person waving a knife near 22 S. Magnolia Ave. Two bike officers were dispatched at 10:13 p.m. and arrived three minutes later but did not find the person. Police have not said whether that person was involved in the stabbing.
Court records did not list a future court date for Brown as of Tuesday afternoon.
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