According to Pottsville Police Chief Richard Wojciechowsky, on Wednesday, November 20, 2019 around 5:30pm, Pottsville Bureau of Police officers were dispatched to 521 South Centre Street, apartment 6 for a stabbing. Additional information provided was that a female stabbed a male in the back and that the suspect was still on scene.
Upon arrival, officers were directed to where the individuals were located outside of apartment 6. While going to this area, officers observed a large amount of blood dripping down from between the porch floor boards. Once arriving outside of apartment 6, this officer made contact with a male seated on chair, later identified as Jimmy Murphy who was bleeding from an unknown area at that time. There was also a large pool of blood on the floor directly in front of Murphy.
Also, in this area was a female later identified as Tonji Prince, Murphy’s girlfriend, freely stated that she stabbed Murphy. Prince was placed in custody based on her statement. Officers provided medical treatment to Murphy and observed a large laceration on Murphy's left shoulder area near the back of the armpit. The laceration was approximately 3 inches in length and approximately 1 inch wide.
Murphy was transported by EMS from the scene, he was transported to Lehigh Valley Cedar Crest via air medical due to the severity of the laceration.
The Officer also located a knife in the kitchen area of the apartment. The knife had a black plastic handle and approximately a 6 inch serrated blade with dried blood on blade area.
Prince, was transported to City Hall and interviewed after being given her Miranda warnings. Prince stated that she just picked up the knife and stabbed Murphy, that she stabbed him one time, and that she blacked out. Prince was unable to provide a reason as to why she stabbed Murphy.
Prince was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Christina Hale on one count each of the following: aggravated assault, simple assault, and harassment pursuant to Title 18 Section 2711.
Upon arrival, officers were directed to where the individuals were located outside of apartment 6. While going to this area, officers observed a large amount of blood dripping down from between the porch floor boards. Once arriving outside of apartment 6, this officer made contact with a male seated on chair, later identified as Jimmy Murphy who was bleeding from an unknown area at that time. There was also a large pool of blood on the floor directly in front of Murphy.
Also, in this area was a female later identified as Tonji Prince, Murphy’s girlfriend, freely stated that she stabbed Murphy. Prince was placed in custody based on her statement. Officers provided medical treatment to Murphy and observed a large laceration on Murphy's left shoulder area near the back of the armpit. The laceration was approximately 3 inches in length and approximately 1 inch wide.
Murphy was transported by EMS from the scene, he was transported to Lehigh Valley Cedar Crest via air medical due to the severity of the laceration.
The Officer also located a knife in the kitchen area of the apartment. The knife had a black plastic handle and approximately a 6 inch serrated blade with dried blood on blade area.
Prince, was transported to City Hall and interviewed after being given her Miranda warnings. Prince stated that she just picked up the knife and stabbed Murphy, that she stabbed him one time, and that she blacked out. Prince was unable to provide a reason as to why she stabbed Murphy.
Prince was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Christina Hale on one count each of the following: aggravated assault, simple assault, and harassment pursuant to Title 18 Section 2711.
Prince was locked up in Schuylkill County Prison unable to post $75,000.00 bail.