As an attorney for a 31-year-old Mobile, Alabama, stepmother, and her father argue that she fatally stabbed her boyfriend in the chest while his children were inside their apartment two weeks ago in self-defense, Mobile County prosecutors appear to be relying heavily on a 911 call to establish “consciousness of guilt” and prove that the slaying was murder.
No one disputes that Jennifer Nicole Heathcoe stabbed and killed 33-year-old Taylor Rawlins on the night of August 22 at his apartment, and that his children were present at the time, but Heathcoe has pleaded not guilty, and her lawyer claims the defendant was in a “tumultuous” and “violent relationship,” leaving her feeling she had no choice but to defend herself with a knife.
In addition, her father, Donald Cain, has reportedly spoken publicly on the matter, agreeing that “it was self-defense.”
“Every time I saw her in the last couple of times she was with him for about a year, it’s just gone bad for her,” he added, according to local CBS affiliate WKRG.
However, the self-defense claims stand to face a significant challenge, since doubts have been raised regarding what was said and why during the 911 calls reporting the Charleston Apartments stabbing.
Rawlins’ 9-year-old daughter called 911 from her room in a frantic bid to save her father’s life, originally identifying Heathcoe, her stepmother, as the one who stabbed him, according to call transcript information provided by local Fox affiliate WALA.
“My stepmother stabbed my father,” the girl reportedly stated. “Please arrive quickly! My daddy is going to die.”
Moments later, and this appears to be of considerable interest to the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office, Heathcoe was allegedly heard on the phone encouraging the girl to blame the stabbing on someone else.
In comments broadcast on WALA, DA Keith Blackwood stated Heathcoe looked to be “telling the child that’s calling to say that it wasn’t her” to “minimize” her “involvement in this murder case,” possibly showing “consciousness of guilt” rather than lawful self-defense.
Heathcoe called 911 that night, claiming there was a “dispute” before the stabbing.
“There was a dispute, and…” I got you, baby. I got you, no you are not. “Breathe for me,” Heathcoe allegedly muttered as Rawlins died, before claiming someone else stabbed him. “They ran out immediately,” the defendant allegedly stated.
According to his obituary, Rawlins had a “boundless love and devotion” for his two children, a “deep connection to his mother,” being her only child, and a “vibrant personality, sharp humor, and warm laughter [which] brought comfort and joy to everyone around him.”
“In honor of his memory, we encourage others to engage in conversations about domestic violence awareness, understanding that every small action can contribute to a safer world for families and individuals alike,” according to the notice.
Heathcoe remains in detention without bond as of Thursday, according to Mobile County Jail records. She is also accused in Daphne of failing to appear in court for a pending domestic violence complaint arising from a bar parking lot brawl with Rawlins months ago.