NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Police said a man has been charged in connection with the stabbings his sister-in-law and wife overnight in the Antioch area.
An officer on his way home from work spotted 40-year-old Donnell Simpson walking on Owendale Drive at Hamilton Church Road just after 7 a.m. Simpson ran into a wooded area after seeing the police car, but came out and surrendered to the officer without incident.
Police said Simpson first went to his brother and sister-in-law's house on Melvin Jones Drive around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday. Police said Ronald and Lena Simpson were asleep when Donnell appeared in their bedroom, and then stabbed Lena in her chest. Ronald Simpson grabbed his brother and wrestled him away. Donnell fled the scene.
Ronald drove Lena Simpson to Southern Hills Medical Center with the knife still in her chest. She was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and later released.
Police said Simpson then went to his wife's home on Forest Breeze Drive despite an active order of protection. A man was at the home changing the locks when Donnell Simpson arrived. Witnesses told police Simpson punched his wife, 31-year-old Marqueta Simpson, at least twice in the face before getting a box cutter from his pocket and stabbed her several times.
Marqueta's mother was present at the time, and called police while Donnell allegedly pulled Marqueta toward the front door. Donnell fled the scene on foot because police said he could not find the keys to his car.
Marqueta Simpson was taken to Vanderbilt, where she was listed in stable condition.
Donnell Simpson had been arrested on Monday night on charges of aggravated assault and violating an order of protection obtained by his wife on Sunday. Marqueta told police Donnell threw a brick at her while she was in a vehicle. It broke the window, and landed on the back floorboard. He was taken into custody, but released on $5,000 bond at 9:16 p.m. Monday.
Donnell Simpson was charged with two counts of attempted murder, violation of an order of protection and violation of the conditions of his previous bond. Bond was set at $2,050,000.
Donnell Simpson
