(Breaking news) Waldorf man charged with stabbing cousin

Friday, Dec. 18, 2009

Posted at 1:50 p.m. Monday

A Waldorf man is accused of stabbing his cousin to death with a kitchen knife during an argument that erupted while the two were watching a football game Sunday evening, according to police.

The fight broke out at the Waldorf home after resident Ronald Xavier Butler asked his cousin, William Arthur Chase, to leave, police reported. At some point, Butler allegedly grabbed a knife from the kitchen and stabbed Chase once in the chest, according to Kristen Timko, spokeswoman for the Charles County Sheriff's Office.

Timko said there was evidence the men had been drinking, although it was unclear how large a role alcohol played in the incident.

A woman and two children were in the home during the stabbing, but didn't see the attack. The woman called 911 to report the assault, according to Timko.

Police went to the home in the 9900 block of Bunker Hill Road at about 7:25 p.m. and arrested Butler, who was still at the scene, Timko said. Chase, 51, of Waldorf was taken to Civista Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Butler, 41, was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault and using a dangerous weapon with intent to injure, court records show. He is being held at the Charles County jail pending an appearance before a district court commissioner, according to police.

Detective G. Higgs of the sheriff's major crimes unit is investigating.

brodgers@somdnews.com