A shouting match broke out in the court house where a 26-year-old Ansonia woman was arraigned on a murder charge.
Tiffany Perry, 26, is accused of fatally stabbing Jennifer Lewis, 22, during a fight Sunday at about 8:30 p.m. at the Olson Drive housing complex in Ansonia.
Perry, wearing a pink shirt reading “little bit mischievous” appeared just after 1 p.m. Monday at the Derby court house, where Judge Michael Hartmere set her bond at $750,000 — after ordering a psychiatric exam and putting Perry on suicide watch.
A screaming match broke out when relatives and friends of the victim noticed one of Perry’s supporters crying in court.
“What is she crying for? She ain’t dead,” a woman yelled out.
The two groups of people — supporters of the victim and supporters of the suspect — began yelling insults at each other.
Perry, who was being taken out of the court room on her way to jail, turned around, began crying and called for one of her supporters.
Court officers then followed the emotional groups into the small lobby of the court house, where tempers continued to flare.
Two men then traded threats with each other outside on the sidewalk. Lewis’ friends and family walked north up Elizabeth Street, while Perry’s contingent headed south toward City Hall.
The details of precisely what happened at the apartment complex where they both lived remains unknown. Police have not elaborated on a motive.
The dispute may have centered around a man, according to the story circulating around the 119-unit complex.
Friends and relatives on both sides declined comment.
According to Ansonia police, an officer assigned to the Olson Drive housing complex observed a group of people running toward one of the buildings at 8:25 p.m.
While the officer responded to check it out, police began receiving 911 calls from residents saying there was a dispute on the second floor of the 136 – 153 building.
There, officers found Lewis lying on the floor, suffering “from at least one stab wound” to her chest, police said.
She was immediately taken to Griffin Hospital in Derby, where she was pronounced dead.
A group of men outside the apartments Monday morning said a large Father’s Day cook-out, complete with horse shoe games and children’s activities, was in full swing when the stabbing happened.
“We were out having a good time when people started running over,” said a man who did not give his name. “I thought there was a fight or something.”
Witnesses quickly realized the gravity of the situation and began screaming for people to call 911.
Other residents interviewed would not comment or give their names Monday morning.
The victim’s uncle stood silently outside a convenience store across from the complex Monday morning. He did not answer questions from a reporter.
Police, meanwhile, apparently have a strong case against Perry.
Police said they found several knives in Perry’s Olson Drive apartment, including one they believe is the murder weapon.
At court Monday, a bail commissioner said Perry’s only other criminal act was a breach of peace seven years ago.
Perry is due in Superior Court in Milford July 7.
