Deadly Stabbing Case Goes to Trial

A man accused of a deadly stabbing near Northampton County Prison last year will go on trial Monday.

Lawrence Gaines, 45, is accused of stabbing William Thompson five times during a fight on the 600 block of Ferry Street on July 3, 2012.

According to police, Thompson, 43, of the 1400 block of Washington Street, had gone to an apartment at 613 Ferry St. looking for a man named Miguel.

Police say Gaines, who is also known as "L," answered the door, and he and Thompson got into an argument—which police say was drug related—that turned into a physical confrontation.

At a preliminary hearing last year, witness Tony Williams said Gaines punched Thompson several times. Williams said he broke up the fight, but that it began again when Thompson attacked Gaines with a stick. 

That's when Gaines pulled his knife, Williams testified. The men began to tussel, and Williams said Gaines stabbed Thompson.

Police have said in court documents that Gaines had—in the days before Thompson died—boasted to an acquaitance that he'd "just got out of jail and would stab a motherf---er."

In court last year, defense attorney Robert Sletvold got Williams to acknowledge he had smoked crack prior to the fight.

Gaines faces life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder.

Thompson's death was one of six homicides in Easton in 2012.