Cedar Rapids woman accused in fatal stabbing told police it was self-defense

CEDAR RAPIDS - A 36-year woman accused of fatally stabbing a man early Wednesday told police she stabbed him in self-defense.

Police and emergency personnel were called at 4:25 a.m. Wednesday to a residence in the 700 block of Eighth Avenue SW. They found Tremaine Williams, 35, unresponsive with a stab wound to his upper torso.

Police said Jacqueline Holmes, who is accused of attacking Williams, called 911 and reported Williams was having difficulty breathing.

Williams was treated at the scene and transferred to UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Holmes was at the residence when police arrived, according to the criminal complaint.

Police said she had suffered a 'significant laceration to her hand that required medical treatment.”

The complaint states Holmes initially claimed she had cut her hand while washing dishes. She later told police Williams 'must have done it to himself.” Changing her story again, Holmes told police she 'stabbed (Williams) in self-defense.”

Holmes made an initial appearance Thursday morning in Linn County District Court. A judge set her cash-only bond at $750,000 and granted her request for a public defender.

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