Woman Charged With Murder For Fatal Stabbing In Mercer: Prosecutor

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — A 42-year-old Trenton woman was charged with murder and other offenses for a fatal stabbing that took place on June 19, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri said.

Shawnette Johnson, 42, of Trenton, was taken into custody Thursday by the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force. She was charged with first-degree murder, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and fourth-degree tampering with evidence.

On Monday, June 19, around 10:45 p.m., the Trenton Emergency Medical Services (TEMs) received a 911 call for a male stabbed at 1100 Edgewood Avenue, Trenton. TEMs arrived and took the man, identified as Ernest Denard, 61, to Capital Health Regional Medical Center. Denard was pronounced dead at the hospital around 2:18 a.m.

According to investigation, Denard was seen knocking on the door of apartment A3 and was let in by a black female. He left after approximately 10 minutes with visible blood on his shirt. Based on video surveillance, detectives saw Denard lift his shirt and look at his abdomen. He then walked back towards his apartment in building B, knocked on his neighbor’s door, and asked him to call an ambulance.

Additional video obtained by investigators showed the resident of apartment A3, Shawnette Johnson, leaving her apartment one minute after Denard left and walking toward the rear exit of the building. She opened the rear door, stepped outside and appeared to throw an object, which was similar in size and shape to a knife.

Detectives later searched the area and found a steak knife with a black handle and a search of Johnson’s apartment revealed additional knives of the same type, Onofri said.

According to police, detectives found blood on the floor, on the inside front door doorknob and on blue slide-on sandals that Johnson was wearing when she left the apartment.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call HTF Detective Jennifer Eyster at (609) 989-6406. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.

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