Osceola woman stabbed in grocery store

An Osceola man is behind bars following a Friday stabbing at a local grocery store.

John James Jr., 28, of Osceola, was arrested Tuesday and charged with attempted murder as the result of an incident which occurred at the Community Grocery Store on Semmes and Pearl streets in Osceola.

Officers with the Osceola Police Department were called to the Community Grocery to find Kenja Washington, a 27-year-old female, lying on the floor with a stab wound to her neck.

Lt. Jennifer Ephlin arrived at the scene and learned through witnesses James had allegedly stabbed the victim and fled the area.

According to a report from the OPD, the victim had suffered several stab wounds and was airlifted to The Regional Medical Center in Memphis, where she was later re- leased.

While officers were on the scene conducting the investigation, a fight ensued outside the store between Washington's boyfriend, Hollen Jefferson III, and James' girl- friend, Victoria Litzsey.

Jefferson, 29, and Litzsey, 23, both of Osceola, were each charged with disorderly conduct -- fighting.

Jefferson was cited to appear in court Jan. 23.

Litzey appeared before Osceola District Judge Mike Gibson Tuesday. She was issued a $400 fine plus cost and sentenced to 15 days in jail. She was also bound over on aggravated assault charges and terroristic threatening stemming from another

incident. Her bond was set at $25,000.

Witnesses on the scene Friday told The Times, an argument began between James and Washington outside the store. However, they then went inside the store, where the stabbing allegedly occurred.

Witnesses said James fled on foot behind the levee when officers arrived on the scene. He remained at large until his arrest Tuesday.

James was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.