Mother stabs daughter’s boyfriend

Photo provided by Point Coupee Parish Sheriffs officeSheila Cushionberry

NEW ROADS — A mother fatally stabbed her daughter’s boyfriend in the chest Saturday night after he grew violent and refused to leave her house, Police Chief Kevin McDonald said.

Police found Joseph Williams Jr., of New Roads, dead in the front yard of his girlfriend’s house at 120 Cherry St. about 11:30 p.m., McDonald said.

Police said Williams had been arguing with his girlfriend at the house and refused to leave despite being asked repeatedly by her mother, Sheila Cushionberry, McDonald said.

“Stay out of my business,” Williams told the mother before punching her twice in the face, McDonald said.

The mother grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed Williams in the chest, McDonald said.

He ran out of the house, but died in the front yard, McDonald said.

Police arrested Cushionberry and booked her on a count of second-degree murder, McDonald said.

McDonald said the district attorney and a grand jury will decide whether Cushionberry acted in self-defense.

Comments

1) Comment by jwarren - 26/05/2013

Asands1, the story says the mother stabbed the man after he punched her in the face, not the daughter. As far as proportionality, that is an interesting argument. Are you saying this woman only had the right to defend herself against this man with her bare hands? People can die from physical bettering. How do we know the man only hit her twice and was not going to hit her again? There is much we don't know about this story, but I do know proportionality can get you killed.

2) Comment by Bouncer - 20/12/2012

Let her go. She warned that scummy boyfriend to leave. Instead of getting out, he acted like a punk and punched a woman in the face, twice. One thing's for sure. He won't be trespassing or punching anyone else, ever again. If she gets any jail time, I hope it's minimal.

3) Comment by wherearewegoing - 15/11/2012

We weren't there. We don't know what was said, what occurred, or what was seen. I think asands1 COULD be right, but I wasn't there. This woman could have legitimately feared for her life, so she protected herself. She could've been angry about a boy not respecting her and her family (and upset about being punched in the face) and then stabbed him for it. It IS POSSIBLE that this was an extreme case and she overreacted and could have simply called the cops. It's also possible that she made the situation worse by interjecting, or in the MANNER in which she interjected, causing the situation to spin out of control. I'm not making a call on this one just yet. Simply put, there's a lot we don't know here.

4) Comment by asands1 - 02/11/2012

So, because someone punches your daughter you have the right to kill them? This guys life is now over because he made a stupid stupid mistake. Im not defending abuse or assault but clearly he didnt deserve to die for punching someone. Have you ever punched someone or been in a fight where you were punched? Did you or that other person deserve to die? My guess to your answer is no. Now if the guy was trying to strangle her daughter, I could see where she was in her right but thats not the case here.Stabbing someone fatally was not proportional to the crime committed by the man.

5) Comment by stephanieanthony - 02/07/2012

What were the police thinking?

6) Comment by stephanieanthony - 02/07/2012

Wow, what was he thinking?

7) Comment by Whatnow - 02/07/2012

Do you think she would have been arrested if she were a white homeowner? Yes, I think she would have been arrested.

8) Comment by ladyanderson - 02/07/2012

Wow, unbelievable. What kind of laws do they have in New Roads.

9) Comment by BRmoderate - 02/07/2012

Do you think she would have been arrested if she were a white homeowner? Good for her in defending her family and property. We just saw a case of a pregnant mother being shot in BR who was previously abused by a boyfriend...Deadly force was her only option

10) Comment by BoiledCrabs - 02/07/2012

Even if she went to get the knife instead of calling the police I think she might be innocent because one is allowed to use deadly force on one's own property if they feel they are in danger of losing their life, especially inside their home.

11) Comment by tradewinns - 01/07/2012

based on the story in this news article, i would like for the reporter to follow up on why she was arrested. i'm sure it was because she went and got the knife instead of calling the police. if that is the reason then i'd say the police over reacted they can not get to any incidence (especially a violent one) in ime to protect a victim. they can get there in time to write it up and arrest a perceived perpertrator. she acted at the moment to protect herself (she was hit twice) and her daughter. apologize and send her home.

12) Comment by DevilDog - 01/07/2012

She defended herself and her home the best she could. Free Ms. Cushionberry!

13) Comment by NewsReader - 01/07/2012

Sounds like self-defense to me.

14) Comment by 8point6 - 01/07/2012

I agree with all three comments. Free Sheila!

15) Comment by Grannee - 01/07/2012

Why is this lady in jail? This is justifiable homicide. He threw the first punch and she protected herself. FREE MS. CUSHIONBERRY NOW!

16) Comment by nimby? - 01/07/2012

sounds like the mother was within her rights . need more like her .....

17) Comment by Woody - 01/07/2012

so the "victim" would not leave when asked, and punched the homeowner? why is she in jail?