A Tennessee man is behind bars after he stabbed his pregnant ex-girlfriend 10 times in what was his third attack on her this summer, cops say.
Memphis police responded around 8:40 p.m. on Friday to a parking lot in the 1500 block of Havana Street in the city’s southside. Paramedics found the victim suffering from multiple stab wounds and rushed her to a hospital. She later told detectives she was walking with some friends when her ex-boyfriend, 35-year-old Deandre Wilkins, walked up to her and punched her in the face, a criminal complaint said.
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He then allegedly pulled out a kitchen knife and started repeatedly stabbing the woman while telling her “I told you I was going to get you.” She survived the attack and reportedly identified Wilkins in a photo lineup. The two had been dating for about a year until they broke up a few months ago. The woman is pregnant with his child.
This is the third time Wilkins allegedly assaulted the woman since July. On July 24, Wilkins allegedly punched her in the face three or four times and then stole her purse. The victim did not immediately report the incident.
On Aug. 5, Wilkins allegedly held the victim and her four kids captive in their apartment. A criminal complaint said Wilkins punched her in the mouth and threatened to kill her if she tried to leave. He also allegedly picked up a kettlebell weight and said “I will smash your face in if you try to leave!” Cops arrested Wilkins on charges of aggravated assault, domestic violence and four counts of false imprisonment. The victim also told detectives about the July 24 incident, and they tacked on charges of robbery and domestic violence, records show.
Wilkins paid the $60,000 bond to get out of jail but a judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest on Aug. 20 after he failed to show up for a court appearance, records show. Prosecutors say he has previous convictions for aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, aggravated robbery and burglary. Wilkins is on probation, according to the Tennessee Department of Corrections.
Wilkins is currently at the Shelby County Jail on a $2 million bond on charges of attempted murder and domestic assault.
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