After three days of deliberations, a Riverside jury was unable to overcome an impasse in the trial of a felon accused of fatally stabbing an itinerant during an altercation in a Riverside park, leading a judge to declare a mistrial Monday.
Terrence Anthony “Memphis” Hawkins, 44, allegedly killed 51-year-old Brian Byrd of Riverside in 2019. Hawkins is charged with first-degree murder, a sentence-enhancing allegation of using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony and parole violations.
Following two weeks of testimony, the prosecution and defense rested on Thursday, after which Riverside County Superior Court Judge Steven Counelis sent jurors behind closed doors at the Riverside Hall of Justice to commence deliberations.
The panel informed Counelis on Monday afternoon that members were divided on a verdict after an undisclosed number of votes, prompting the judge to declare the jury hopelessly deadlocked. He dismissed the jurors and scheduled retrial proceedings for Jan. 12.
Hawkins remains held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Robert Presley Jail.
According to a trial brief filed by the District Attorney’s Office, the defendant and Byrd were acquainted but were not on overly friendly terms, stemming mainly from Hawkins’ belligerent behavior around other transients in Shamel Park, located in the 3600 block of Arlington Avenue.
On the afternoon of Feb. 19, 2019, the defendant’s girlfriend, identified only as “Monique,” was using a park lavatory behind locked doors when another transient complained about needing to use the facility to clean up, the brief said.
Byrd told Hawkins the woman had spent too much time in the restroom and should vacate it, court papers stated. Hawkins flashed anger, insisting his girlfriend was entitled to spend whatever time she needed in the facility, prompting the victim to tell Hawkins that “he couldn’t be disrespectful anymore.”
A shoving match ensued, during which Byrd punched Hawkins in the face, momentarily stunning him. Afterward, there were several body blows exchanged by the men before the defendant broke off the fight and walked over to his backpack, according to the brief.
A woman who frequented the park, identified only as “J.B.,” later told Riverside police homicide detectives it initially appeared as though Hawkins was preparing his things to leave, but instead he pulled a knife out of his bag “and started talking loudly to Brian, causing him to turn around and walk toward the defendant,” according to the narrative.
“Hawkins made a stabbing motion toward Brian’s neck, from where he immediately started bleeding, stumbling toward the parking lot and collapsing,” the prosecution said. “Then the defendant and Monique fled on their bikes toward Arlington Avenue.”
Paramedics reached the location within 10 minutes and attempted life-saving measures on Byrd, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy later confirmed the wound to the neck was arterial, and he had bled out and died by the time first responders arrived, prosecutors said.
As a result of J.B.’s statements to police and other evidence gathered at the scene, an arrest warrant was obtained and served on Hawkins after he was located on Vine Street, near the downtown Riverside Metrolink station, less than 48 hours later, according to the brief. He was taken into custody without incident.
Monique was not implicated.
Hawkins could face 26 years to life in prison if convicted.
His trial has been repeatedly delayed over the years due to undisclosed health complications, as well as ongoing conflicts with defense attorneys, who have come and gone since 2019.
According to court records, the ex-con has prior convictions for domestic violence, making criminal threats, resisting arrest and being in possession of a controlled substance.