Woman arrested in fatal Fort Myers stabbing claims self-defense, asks court to dismiss case

One of two women charged in a fatal Fort Myers stabbing is asking the court to dismiss her case, citing "statutory immunity."

A'lexis Lafay Jewett, 24, was arrested April 2, 2023, on second-degree murder charges. She was released May 1, 2023, on $100,000 bond.

About 8:45 p.m. March 31, 2023, officers responded to the 5300 block of Summerlin Road, where a woman lay on the ground. Court documents have identified the victim as Jyrah Woolfork, who would've graduated from Mariner High School that year.

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According to the motion to dismiss filed Thursday by Jewett's public defender, Kathleen Smith, Jewett had an earlier confrontation with another individual at a liquor store leading to the stabbing.

Jewett and her mother, according to the motion, arrived at the apartment complex about two hours prior to the stabbing, but the person Jewett attempted to confront wasn't present.

Woolfork was among a group of about 30 that later arrived in support of the woman Jewett argued with, court documents say.

"Both groups were armed with various weapons, including but not limited to, a crowbar, a steering wheel 'club,' a knife, a hammer, and pepper spray," the motion reads in part.

Court documents say that during the melee Jewett was in fear for her life, as well as her mother's, and defended herself with a knife.

During the scuffle, Woolfork was stabbed in the chest, the motion says. Another woman, identified as Tiara Walker, was stabbed in the shoulder.

A large crowd gathered as Woolfork "was going in and out of consciousness," the report said. Several rendered aid before first responders took Woolfork to Gulf Coast Medical Center, where she died.

A witness told investigators Jewett and her family attacked Woolfork, according to the report.

Thursday's motion claims Jewett defended herself and her mother.

Jewett's accused accomplice, Kathy Adderson, 53, of Fort Myers, was arrested Dec. 4, 2023, on charges of second-degree murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in the incident. She was released March 18 on $150,000 bond.

Both are next due in court June 5 for a pretrial conference before Lee Circuit Judge Bruce Kyle.

Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran , Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews .

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Woman arrested in fatal Fort Myers stabbing claims self-defense, asks court to dismiss case