Judge rules Howard County man charged with stabbing wife is competent to stand trial
A judge ruled on Friday that a Howard County man charged with stabbing his estranged wife to death can stand trial.
The Howard County State's Attorney's Office confirmed to CBS News Baltimore that the defendant, 53-year-old Alexander Stephenson, can stand trial. The next court date will be a motions hearing on Jan. 1, 2027, with the trial date set for March 15, 2027.
The Ellicott City man is facing first- and second-degree murder and first- and second-degree assault charges, as well as violating a protective order against him. He is accused of killing his wife, 47-year-old Amethyst Stephenson, on Sunday, Feb. 8. Hours later, he turned himself into the police.
Son called 911
Officers responded to a home in the 3400 block of Huntsman Run in Ellicott City a little after 8 a.m. on Feb. 8.
A charging document states that Amethyst Stephenson's son was the one who called 911. He woke up and heard "a commotion and yelling" coming from his mother's room. When he got to the room, he said he saw Alexander Stephenson stabbing his mother in the closet.
"Alexander attempted to stop the victim's son from contacting the police. Ultimately, the victim's son contacted 911," the charging document reads.
Amethyst Stephenson's son then said he saw Alexander Stephenson cut his wrists before running out of the house through the back. After turning himself in, Alexander Stephenson was taken to Shock Trauma in Baltimore, where he was arrested upon release.
"When something like this happens, when somebody has done the right things to protect themselves and [the victim still gets hurt]...it's really a tragic situation," Howard County Police spokesperson Seth Hoffman said.
Court documents show Amethyst Stephenson filed her protective order in January 2026. In her petition, she said her husband "made veiled and direct threats of violence against the children. He has threatened to kill us. He punches walls, destroys property..."
Temporary and final protective orders were granted, with the last one meant to last through Feb. 2, 2027.
Defendant had previous charges
Before the deadly stabbing, Alexander Stephenson was already charged with assault and violating Amethyst Stephenson's protective order, among other charges, in Carroll County, court records show.
Charging documents for that incident show the Carroll County Sheriff's Office and Maryland State Police responded to a High's gas station at 6700 Sykesville Road in Sykesville. 911 calls came in regarding a fight in a car parked at the gas station.
State Police troopers learned Alexander Stephenson was in the car with two of his children, one of whom was driving. The one driving was trying to get in touch with Amethyst Stephenson to alert her that Alexander Stephenson was intoxicated, according to charging documents.
Things escalated to the point Alexander Stephenson allegedly bit the left thumb of the one driving, and tried to scratch or gouge the other child's eyes. Amethyst Stephenson also told troopers that he tried to call her, which goes against her protective order.
Court records show Alexander Stephenson was taken into custody and appeared in court on these charges, but was released before the February stabbing.
"[Alexander Stephenson] may be released on personal recognizance because he is not charged with a crime punishable by life imprisonment without parole," his initial appearance report reads.
Court records also show Alexander Stephenson had a protective order against an ex-wife years ago. It expired in December 2021.
