A Little Rock woman charged with first-degree murder in the death of an ex-boyfriend pleaded innocent Monday morning.
Kassie Marie Jackson, 27, is accused of running over Charles Gary Blair Jr. and stabbing him on Jan. 19 during an altercation outside her home. Blair, 28, was hospitalized in critical condition.
Jackson was initially charged with first-degree battery. When Blair died from his injuries Friday, the charge against Jackson was changed to first-degree murder.
District Judge Alice Lightle on Monday increased bail for Jackson by $25,000. Jackson had been free on $50,000 bond before Blair died. She posted the extra amount Monday and was released from the Pulaski County jail.
According to a police report, officers found Blair "covered in blood and gasping for air" outside Jackson's home at 8510 Scott Hamilton Drive the night of Jan. 19. The report states Jackson was sitting nearby, smoking a cigarette and holding a knife.
Officers noted her calm demeanor in the report.
Jackson told police Blair had been drunk and "disrespectful" toward her, and that she struck him with her 2007 Jeep Patriot after he "said something smart," according to the report. Then, as the injured Blair lay in the street, she stabbed him with a knife that she had in her bra, police said.
Jackson's mother, Sue Rashwan, 46, told police Blair had been gone all day in Jackson's car and skipped work for several hours before he showed up drunk at the residence. She also said Blair had swung a beer bottle at Jackson during the confrontation, according to police.
Court records show Jackson obtained an order of protection against Blair in June 2012, claiming domestic abuse. The order was dismissed the next month.
Blair, of Little Rock, had been facing a charge of third-degree domestic battery in a separate case prosecutors filed in November.
He was convicted in a previous case of third-degree domestic battery, a misdemeanor offense, in 2007, according to court records.
Jackson has no prior criminal history. Her next court date was set for March 18.
Metro on 01/26/2016