Inset: Sean Smith (from Charles County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The scene at the 9700 block of Orkney Place in Waldorf, Maryland, where Sean Smith is accused of fatally stabbing his stepfather Damian Hodges in their garage (Google Maps).
A Maryland teen has confessed to plunging a kitchen blade into his stepfather’s chest during a “fight” in their garage, telling cops he was provoked and punched by the 45-year-old victim — who said “you’re not going to use that knife” right before he did just that, cops report.
Sean Smith, 18, of Waldorf, is charged with murder for the fatal stabbing of his stepdad, Damian Hodges, during a “verbal and physical” dispute at their home last Friday, according to court documents obtained by Southern Maryland News Net.
Police said in a press release that officers responded at around 8:43 p.m. to the 9700 block of Orkney Place after Smith called 911 and reported that he had stabbed his stepfather.
“Upon arrival, officers located the victim with multiple stab wounds,” the release said. “Officers and EMS attempted life-saving measures; however, the victim died of his injuries on the scene.”
Smith was arrested that night after being found several houses down from his stepfather’s residence. He was detained without incident and allegedly spoke to cops about what he claims happened.
According to court documents, Smith allegedly said Hodges “struck me in the face multiple times with a closed fist,” which caused him to retreat inside.
“[Smith] retrieved a knife from the kitchen, which is located on the level above the garage,” the court documents state, according to News Net. “[Smith] displayed the knife to Damian,” the documents allege.
“You’re not going to use that knife,” Smith recalled Hodges telling him, according to the court docs. He allegedly said Hodges punched him again, which prompted the teen to attack him, per cops.
“I stabbed him in the chest one time,” Smith allegedly told police. “Took the knife I used and threw it inside of a trash can.”
A woman in the home, who has not been publicly identified, allegedly told detectives that she saw both Smith and Hodges in the garage fighting before the deadly stabbing, News Net reports.
“He was holding a knife,” the court documents say.
The woman allegedly witnessed Smith approaching Hodges and wrestling with him before Smith stabbed him. Investigators found the knife that Smith says he used in a trash can and was able to link it to the crime, according to police.
Smith has been formally charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment. He has been ordered held without bond and is due in court on Oct. 28 for a preliminary hearing.
