Clark County Deputy Prosecutor Michael Vaughn argued Thursday that a man on trial for allegedly stabbing another man to death in September was not acting in self-defense.
“Even at its best, ladies and gentleman, the defense’s story in this case is a story of revenge, not a story of self-defense,” he told the jury during closing arguments.
“In a case of self-defense, one has to show a person is in fear of death or serious injury,” Vaughn said. “A reasonably prudent person is not going to stab someone in the heart when they’re backing away, saying, ‘Stop it, calm down.’ “
However, the defense argued the accused in this case, Jack Raymond Yancey, was blitz-attacked and had the right to stand his ground.
Yancey, 58, of Vancouver faces a charge of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon in connection with the death of Gary L. Adams, 50, on Sept. 24 in Vancouver’s Hough neighborhood. Arguments wrapped up Thursday afternoon in Clark County Superior Court.
The jury, which began deliberating soon after, is expected to decide Yancey’s fate today. It’s possible he could be acquitted on the first-degree murder charge but found guilty of second-degree murder.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Superior Court, Adams had been visiting a house at 900 W. 16th St. during the day and walked outside to leave that evening. About five minutes later, witnesses said they heard a commotion outside and saw Adams and Yancey engaged in a confrontation. Both men apparently frequented the residence, which was often open to homeless people.
Adams reportedly had his arms outstretched toward Yancey’s shoulders and was retreating. A witness said she saw Yancey swing his hand at Adams’ stomach area and Adams fell back, grasped his stomach and yelled, “You stabbed me,” the affidavit says. Yancey allegedly replied with, “That’s what you get.”
The knife was thrust in an upward direction, striking Adams’ heart and killing him, court records said.
Witnesses called 911 about 10 p.m., but Yancey had reportedly fled in a white Dodge Omni by the time police arrived. Yancey was apprehended the next day across town at Acres Mobile Estates, 13401 N.E. 28th St., according to court documents.
Vaughn said during closing arguments that Yancey fled the scene, leaving his girlfriend behind, and changed his story about where he went because he knew he had done something wrong. Parts of Yancey’s story also didn’t match up with eyewitness testimony. One witness was reportedly standing 10 to 15 feet away from the confrontation and “had an almost perfect view,” Vaughn said.
“There’s absolutely no question that Jack Yancey caused the death of Gary Adams by stabbing him in the chest,” he added.
Yancey’s defense attorney, Michael Foister Sr., told the jury that his client stabbed Adams because Adams had thrown a makeshift knife at him, narrowly missing him. And then, he began punching Yancey in the head. Foister said the violent behavior was fueled by a dispute over tires and a toxic level of methamphetamine in Adams’ system. Toxicology reports indicate Adams had 1.3 milligrams per liter of methamphetamine in his blood at the time of the incident, he said.
“If (Adams) wouldn’t have consumed a massive amount of methamphetamine on Sept. 24, 2014, he would be alive and we wouldn’t be here,” Foister told the jury.
He said the prosecution tried to downplay Adams’ meth use during the trial by arguing it didn’t affect his behavior. However, the reality, he said, is that there is evidence to support Adams was angry with Yancey and had motive to attack him. This would have been enhanced by his meth use, Foister said.
Yancey, who feared for his life, pulled out an 8-inch kitchen knife and stabbed Adams once, Foister said. Yancey had the knife hidden in the waistband of his pants.
“The attack with a deadly weapon was initiated by (Adams),” Foister said.
Vaughn countered by saying Adams was unarmed when Yancey stabbed him. He added that no one saw Adams throw a knife at him, and even if he had, the knife was out of reach, 32 to 55 feet away, during the remainder of the confrontation. There were also no marks on Yancey to indicate he had been beaten, he said.
