Knoxville Murder Trial Hinges on Intent of Stabber
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A young Knoxville man is on trial in a fatal stabbing that occurred during a drug deal. Daniel Pagan is charged with second-degree murder in the January 2011 killing of 20-year-old Dashawnta Murphy in a park during what was supposed to be $750 pill purchase. The state contends the then-19-year-old Pagan was a drug dealer who stabbed Murphy to death when she tried to rob him. The Knoxville News Sentinel reported a Murphy accomplice testified Wednesday. Former East Tennessee State University student Chelsea Garrett told jurors they thought Pagan would be an easy robbery target. Pagan’s attorney argued Wednesday that his slightly-built client fought back to save his own life when Murphy pulled a knife. Prosecutors argued Pagan stabbed Murphy to recover his pills.
