Thursday, August 2, 2012

Brooklyn, NY: Teen who claimed self-defense in stabbing death of boyfriend may be free in less than a year

The mother of a Brooklyn man who was stabbed to death by his teen-aged girlfriend howled Wednesday at the young killer, who may be free in less than a year.

Vanessa McGhee, 18, claimed she acted in self-defense before she pleaded guilty to manslaughter. She was sentenced to 2 1/3 to 7 years in prison — but may be eligible for release in as little as eight months after time-served and good behavior are factored in.

McGhee was initially charged with murder in last June’s death of her boyfriend, Sharrod (Swiss) Youmans, 23.

“You took something away from me that I'll never get back,” Youmans' mother, Donna Harris, 41, cried out in Brooklyn Supreme Court.

“My son lost his life because of your lies, your manipulation, your jealousy. And all he did was love you.”

McGhee just shut her eyes and bowed her head as the devastated mom spoke.

“There is nothing I can say to bring Sharrod back,” a tearful McGhee said. “I never meant for any of this to happen.”

In a statement to cops after her arrest, the then 17-year-old said her beau of two years choked her and would not let her leave their East New York apartment. She eventually grabbed a knife, which struck Youmans when he charged at her, she said.

The only injury he suffered was a single 3-inch-deep puncture wound, defense lawyer Wilson Lafaurie said.

Lafaurie had also argued that McGhee emailed a friend during the confrontation, asking for him to come and help.

“I think the whole situation just got out of hand,” the lawyer said.

“Of course I don't approve” of the sentence, Harris said.

Still, she signed off on the plea agreement because a lengthy legal battle “is not going to bring my son back.”

Youmans left behind a 4-year-old daughter.

No domestic violence reports were ever filed, officials said, and there were no restraining orders.

But Harris claimed McGhee had tried to slash him in the past.

“This girl never had a scratch on her,” she said. “He never saw it coming.”

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