Defendant to testify about fatal stabbing of brother

Kim Smith

Thursday, Aug. 1, 2002 | 9:08 a.m.

A 23-year-old Las Vegas man accused of stabbing his younger brother in the heart last year will be taking the stand during his murder trial this week, his defense attorney told jurors Wednesday.

"Danny's going to take the stand. He's going to tell you what happened. He's not going to deny that his brother is dead, and he's not going to deny that the knife was in his hand," Frank Kocka said during opening statements. "He's not here to avoid responsibility."

According to police, Steven Jones, 20, died April 29, 2001, after being stabbed during an argument with his brother in the apartment they shared on Linnbaker Lane near Lamb Boulevard and Owens Avenue.

Deputy District Attorney Bernie Zadrowski told jurors that Daniel and Steven had grown tired of each other. On the day of the slaying, he said, Daniel was upset that Steven had initially refused to give him a ride so he could cash his paycheck.

Zadrowski said Daniel thrust a 5 1/4-inch steak knife into his brother's chest up to its hilt.

"All of the anger Daniel Jones felt came out on the tip of that blade, and Steven Jones died as a result," Zadrowski said.

Among the witnesses to the stabbing were the girlfriends of the brothers, both of whom are expected to testify.

Kocka told the jurors that, like most brothers, the Joneses experienced "bumps and smooth roads." He urged the jurors to pay close attention so that they might determine the degree of responsibility Daniel Jones should accept.

The defense attorney did not tell jurors that well-known forensic pathologist Michael Baden is expected to testify for the defense Friday.

Baden has offered his expert opinion in numerous high-profile cases, including the Ted Binion murder case and the O.J. Simpson and Medgar Evars cases.