Killing Half-Sister Prompts Potential Life Sentence In Anne Arundel: Prosecutor

PASADENA, MD — An Anne Arundel County man was found criminally responsible for killing his young half-sister, prosecutors said recently.

The county state's attorney said she will seek a life sentence for 20-year-old Stephen Jarrod Davis II of Pasadena, who was 17 at the time of the killing.

Officials identified his late half-sister as 5-year-old Anaya Jannah Abdul.

Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess announced the verdict in a Friday press release.

"The defendant was angry at his family and he took it out on the youngest and most vulnerable member by stabbing his little sister to death," Leitess said in the release. "He wrote a note to his mother and siblings stating that he hated and wanted to kill them all, but decided that one was enough to cause damage."

The Investigation

Prosecutors said the investigation started on Oct. 3, 2020 when the family noticed that a vehicle was gone and Davis, then a high school senior, was missing.

The state's attorney said the threatening note was found soon after and a sibling found the victim in her bed suffering from stab wounds.

Medics pronounced Abdul dead on the scene, Leitess said.

"I am grateful that the jury rejected [Davis'] attempt to avoid responsibility for this unthinkable crime by claiming that he heard a 'noise' and was compelled to kill his sister," Leitess said. "It is a terrible thing to have to prosecute a young person for such a horrific crime, but he had to be held accountable for it."

Prosecutors said police traced Davis' cell phone to Ohio, where state troopers tried to pull him over.

The state's attorney said Davis tried to outrun police, starting a 5-mile chase where speeds exceeded 130 mph.

Leitess said Davis eventually pulled over, was taken into custody and extradited to Maryland.

The Trial

Prosecutors said Davis pleaded guilty to first-degree murder last October and opted for a bi-furcated trial to determine if he was criminally responsible.

Davis argued that he had a mental disorder and couldn't conform to the law or understand that his actions were illegal, the state's attorney said.

Leitess said expert witnesses called by prosecutors and the defense agreed that Davis had some mental health disorders but disagreed whether they were enough to deem him not criminally responsible.

The jury ultimately sided with prosecutors and found him criminally responsible, the state's attorney said.

"This verdict is the truth of what happened to the victim and, in some small measure, justice for Anaya and closure for her family and loved ones," Leitess said.

Assistant State's Attorneys Anastasia Prigge and David Russell prosecuted the case, and Judge William Mulford presided over it.

Related:

• Teen Accused Of Killing Half-Sister Brought Back To MD: Police
• Child Killed In Anne Arundel By Teenage Half-Brother: Police