A man received a 10-year sentence for stabbing another man to death in the parking lot of a Fells Point convenience store, the Baltimore State's Attorney's Office said.
In June of 2018, James Chavis was convicted of manslaughter for the 2017 killing of Oscar Acevedo. The 10-year sentence was the maximum Chavis faced.
Police responded to a convenience store in the 2000 block of Fleet Street for a reported stabbing at 2:11 a.m. on Jan. 22, 2017, the State's Attorney's Office said. Though it was not explicitly named as the location, a 24-hour Royal Farms Store is the only convenience store in the block.
Upon arrival, officers found Acevedo unresponsive on the ground in front of the store, suffering from apparent stab wounds to his torso. He was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Responding homicide detectives reviewed surveillance video showing Chavis and Acevedo arguing inside and outside the store. The video showed Acevedo leave the store on his bicycle, while Chavis walked across the street to a bar.
Later, both Chavis and Acevedo returned to the store and began fighting outside again. As things progressed, Chavis took out a knife and lunged at Acevedo. A short scuffle ensued, with Chavis eventually walking away and Acevedo being left on the ground unresponsive.
A witness who was interviewed later identified Chavis during a photo array.
Chavis was arrested, waiving his Miranda rights and answering questions in an interview. During a taped confession, Chavis said he stabbed Acevedo in self defense.
“To lose a loved one to violence is devastating, said the Assistant State's Attorney who prosecuted the case, Jennifer Brady. "I just hope that the jury’s verdict can bring some peace to Oscar Acevedo’s family knowing that justice has been served."
