Murder Charge Dropped in Stabbing Called Self-Defense

Murder charges have been dropped against a Silver Spring man, who prosecutors now say was acting in self-defense when he fatally stabbed a teenager June 10 in the Briggs Chaney area of Montgomery County.

Mitchell Zio, 19, of Silver Spring, was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Derik Benson, 18, of Silver Spring. Montgomery Community Media reports Zio was released from custody on Aug. 7.

The two men knew each other, police said. When officers arrived in the 14100 block of Castle Boulevard they found Benson lying on his back and suffering from a stab wound. He died at a local hospital.

Zio was reportedly arrested with blood on his person and a bloody knife in his possession.

Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office spokesman Ramón V. Korionoff told the media outlet Zio was defending himself, so the office dropped the murder charges.

Zio’s attorney, Henry Barnes, said the former student-athlete at Paint Branch High School is ready to move forward with his life. But Barners is worried about Zio’s safety.

“This was a local gang [that attacked him]. I’ve cautioned him to not go back to that neighborhood,” Barnes said.

»Photo of Mitchell Zio, courtesy of Montgomery County Police Department