Bronx detectives picked up early on Wednesday morning the prime suspect who slashed a woman to death earlier this month.
Jaleesa Richardson, 32, of Walton Avenue was booked at 1:10 a.m. on June 12 for the June 1 killing of Ashley Smith, 37, of Mount Vernon, outside a home on the 1400 block of Oakley Street in Williamsbridge.
The location had been repeatedly used as an illegal, after-hours nightclub; according to Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, garages in the rear of the location had been illegally converted for holding parties.
As many as 40 people were involved in a melee that broke out when a bouncer, trying to break up a dispute inside the illegal club, decided to throw everyone out. Richardson allegedly sliced Smith’s throat during the fracas that ensued.
Officers from the 47th Precinct, in responding to a 911 call about the assault at about 6:08 a.m. on June 1, found Smith unconscious and unresponsive with a slash wound to her throat. Kenny said the cut severed her left jugular.
EMS rushed Smith to Jacobi Hospital, where she was pronounced dead a short time later.
The New York Daily News reported that Smith was attacked during a brawl that broke out after Richardson had been booted from the location, which doubled as an illegal nightclub.
Richardson faces charges of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon. She was previously arrested in Queens ten years ago on a drug paraphernalia charge, according to Kenny.
Detectives escorted Richardson from the 47th Precinct stationhouse on Wednesday; she stayed silent while reporters asked her why she allegedly committed the killing.
