An El Paso County woman faces up to 32 years in prison after pleading guilty Friday to fatally stabbing her live-in boyfriend during what she called a "heated" quarrel.
With her arms cuffed behind her back and her head bowed, Ta Tyana Marie King, 22, admitted that she grabbed a knife and fatally stabbed Jerwarren Donterious Jackson on Jan. 17 in their shared apartment southeast of Colorado Springs.
She faces 10 to 32 years in prison under terms of her plea bargain, which dropped a first-degree murder charge, and a potential life sentence, in the attack in the 1600 block of Hampton South in the Stratmoor Hills area.
Her penalty is expected to be imposed Aug. 3 by 4th Judicial District Judge David S. Prince.
In a soft voice, King read from a prepared statement in court, saying that the attack came after "a heated argument with Mr. Jackson that turned physical," and leaving out further details. King previously told investigators that Jackson had punched her after she confessed to being unfaithful.
According to her arrest affidavit, witnesses told sheriff’s deputies that after the stabbing, King kicked him in the head. She admitted telling investigators she "hoped he died."
Jerwarren Donterious Jackson, 23 (Photo courtesy of El Paso County Sheriff’s Office).
Jackson’s brother called his killing a case of "fatal attraction," saying King grew envious whenever Jackson spoke of leaving Colorado to be closer to family in Florida.
"Every time we would call him on the phone or FaceTime him, she would always eavesdrop on the conversation," Jaylin Hayward told the newspaper.
Before his death, Jackson made a Facebook post suggesting he planned to leave once and for all and fly home to Tallahassee.
In pleading guilty, King admitted the crime resulted from domestic violence. She also acknowledged it counts as a "crime of violence" under state law, ensuring she will receive a prison sentence.
