Verbal spat preceded fatal stabbing


Clem Howard

MIDDLETOWN — The fatal stabbing outside of a Middletown bar Wednesday was likely the result of “mouthing off,” according to police.

Det. David Swartzel said investigation is ongoing in the stabbing death of 21-year-old Deionte Robinson, but police believe the incident stemmed from a verbal altercation between Robinson and 30-year-old Clem Howard.

“There was some mouthing off going on that resulted in a fight and for whatever reason (Howard) decided to pull out a knife and stab him,” Swartzel said. “These guys start running their mouths and it just escalates from there.”

Howard is accused of stabbing Robinson multiple times in his leg and chest at about 2 a.m. Wednesday, April 21, outside of Take A Break Lounge, 1217 Jackson Lane.

The Warren County Coroner’s Office confirmed Thursday morning that Robinson died of multiple stab wounds inflicted during the fight. Robinson’s friends reportedly transported him to Atrium Medical Center following the stabbing, but police report he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Swartzel said Howard and Robinson did not know each other prior to the fight. A total of six individuals were involved in the dispute, though Swartzel said the investigation has yet to reveal exactly how and when Robinson was stabbed.

“Mr. Howard had been drinking. . .,” Swartzel said. “He hasn’t had a whole lot to say to us and has not admitted to anything yet.”

Second Ward Councilman A.J. Smith, who attended high school with Robinson, said he wants to put an end to the violence breaking out among the city’s youth.

“It’s just sad that we’ve lost another young life in the community,” Smith said. “At some point this has to stop.”

Smith said he has never really visited the Take a Break Lounge, as he has heard some patrons “go there without the best intentions.” He does not think the bar is any worse than others within the city, but said as a city official he has heard “some things” about it.

Smith said he spoke with other city leaders in the wake of the stabbing about potential solutions to the city’s “growing violence problem.”

“I don’t want to see any violence, but when we start talking about homicides it’s just unacceptable,” Smith said. “We have to get a handle on this as fast as possible.”

Jason Hall, 36, has owned the Take A Break Lounge for about nine months. He said he didn’t know Robinson or Howard. On Tuesday night, Hall and his wife were camping at Hueston Woods. He returned to the bar Wednesday morning after hearing about the stabbing.

When Hall bought the bar, he said there was “some trash,” but “we have weeded that out.”

“A lot of good people come in here,” he said.

Police encourage anyone with information regarding the stabbing to contact Swartzel at (513) 425-7742.

Staff

W

riter Rick McCrabb contributed to this report.

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