Florida woman tells mom 'quit coming at me' before 'poking' her in neck with knife, claims self-defense

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

FLORIDA, UNITED STATES: A Florida woman is accused of fatally stabbing her mother, claiming it was an act of self-defense.

This comes after Kelly Tinsley dialed 911 on Tuesday, January 9 at 5.16 am, admitting to stabbing her mother but disconnecting the call when questioned about the location of the wound.

Upon investigation, she reported to the police that she had repeatedly asked her mother to stop approaching her before "poking" in the neck with a knife.

However, deputies asserted that the defendant's injuries did not align with defensive wounds, as per Law&Crime.

Further examination uncovered additional injuries on the victim, Cheryl Maggard Meurer, 69.

Shock as deputies arrive at Kelly Tinsley’s home

Within 10 minutes of the call, deputies reached Tinsley's residence, discovering Meurer beneath a blanket on the floor just inside the doorway.

A pool of blood surrounded her. Deputies forcibly entered, and upon arrival, first responders pronounced her dead. Tinsley was found lying on a pillow in the hallway, facing the front door, as detailed in their report.

They noted suspected blood on the side of the washing machine, approximately 20 feet from Meurer.

The medical examiner identified multiple wounds on Meurer, described as consistent with defensive knife wounds, located on her hands, left arm, right ankle, right knee, and neck, according to documents.

What did Kelly Tinsley say to investigators?

Reportedly, Tinsley informed investigators that on the night of Monday, January 8, her mother suggested she find a larger place to be a better mom. In response, Tinsley allegedly jokingly replied with an expletive.

According to her, Meurer then approached her with a knife, hitting her in the mouth and causing the blade to strike her front tooth. Deputies noted, "A glancing blow from the punch struck Mr Tinsley in the nose."

Documents claim that a struggle ensued over the knife, leading both mother and daughter to the floor.

The affidavit stated, "Ms.Tinsley held the blade of the knife to the decedent's neck and told her quit coming at me, at which time the decedant leaned forward, still trying to attack her causing Ms. Tinsley to poke her in the neck"

The altercation continued until Tinsley observed changes in her mother's eyes.

Tinsley described going to the laundry room, changing her clothes, and washing her hands and face with washing machine water.

Feeling sick at the sight of blood, she allegedly covered her mother's body with a blanket, laid down in the hallway, and, seven hours later, called 911 to report the death.

Despite her claim of self-defense, authorities found no injuries to Tinsley's face, lips, or the inside of her mouth. They reported, "There was no swelling, cuts, nor redness on her face," and noted "a single healing cut" to her right hand.

The affidavit filed against Tinsley claimed, "Ms. Tinsley showed your affiant several lacerations on her legs and injuries to her right hand that she claimed were caused by the decedent; however, none of the injuries appeared consistent with defensive knife wounds."

Presently, she is incarcerated in the Brevard County Jail, facing a charge of manslaughter reclassified with the use of a deadly weapon, accused of causing the death of her mother.