College Sprinter Faces Murder Charges in Boyfriend's Fatal Stabbing
A college sprinter has been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of her boyfriend, who was also an athlete at the same university, following a domestic dispute that turned violent. Denita Jackson, a senior and women's track and field athlete at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, is facing charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Kevaughn Goldson, as reported by local outlet KMIZ and confirmed by Cole County Prosecutor Locke Thompson.
Details of the Incident and Arrest
According to court documents, a warrant for Jackson's arrest was issued on Monday, February 23, and she was taken into custody, where she is being held without bond. The probable cause statement obtained by investigators reveals that Jackson allegedly called Jefferson City Police to report she had been involved in a disturbance with Goldson and had stabbed him at her residence. Upon arrival, officers found Goldson in the living room with a stab wound to his chest and another to his back, along with minor scratches consistent with a physical struggle.
Goldson, a 23-year-old senior and men's track and field athlete originally from Kingston, Jamaica, did not cooperate with police and was not interviewed about the incident. He was transported to Capital Region Medical Center, where photographs of his injuries were taken, before being airlifted to the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, where he died during surgery.
Background of the Relationship and Altercation
During an interview with investigators, Jackson allegedly admitted to stabbing Goldson and described their relationship as volatile, with prior incidents of domestic violence. She mentioned that friends had previously advised her to stay away from him. The latest dispute reportedly began over a broken bottle of cologne, which Jackson had agreed to replace. The pair had previously lived together, but Jackson now shares a residence with two roommates, one of whom witnessed the stabbing.
Goldson allegedly stayed overnight at Jackson's residence on February 21. The following morning, Jackson left for work while Goldson was asleep in her bed. She returned home early and found the bedding disturbed and Goldson no longer in the room. Suspecting he was having an affair with her roommate, Jackson used a hair clip to unlock the roommate's door and found the two in bed together, though clothed, with the bottle of cologne between them.
Escalation to Violence and Aftermath
Jackson told police she jumped onto the bed, grabbed the cologne bottle and Goldson's shirt, sparking a physical altercation. She claimed Goldson kicked her in the stomach, causing her to fall into a nearby mirror. The roommate allegedly told them to stop fighting and fled the room. Jackson further stated that Goldson pinned her to the floor and began choking her. She then noticed a knife under the roommate's bed, grabbed it, and stabbed Goldson in the back. When he did not immediately react, she said she stabbed him again in the chest.
After the stabbing, Jackson reportedly called 911 to report the incident. The case highlights issues of domestic violence and volatile relationships in collegiate settings, with both individuals being prominent athletes at Lincoln University. The investigation is ongoing, and Jackson remains in custody as legal proceedings continue.
