Murder and Other Charges Filed in March 6, 2019 Stabbing of Natina Kiah

            WASHINGTON – Lamont Stephenson, 50, of Washington, D.C., was indicted on first degree murder while armed and cruelty to animals from a stabbing and strangulation that took place in Southeast Washington in March 2019, announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Stephenson allegedly committed these offenses while on the run for the October 2014 killing of his then-fiancée and her dog. He has since pleaded guilty to the charges in the 2014 case and has been sentenced to more than 30 years of incarceration. 

           According to the indictment, the defendant is charged with stabbing Natina Kiah and strangling her cat to death in the early morning hours of March 6, 2019, Stephenson was brought to D.C. and arraigned on the charges on February 14, 2025, during a hearing before Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman.   

           In announcing the charges, U.S. Attorney Martin and Chief Smith commended the work of those investigating the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).  They also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Merikas, who is investigating and prosecuting the case.

           An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.