Maryland Mother Accused of Fatally Stabbing Son During Argument Claims She Acted in Self-Defense: Police

A mother in Maryland has been accused of fatally stabbing her 21-year-old son during a dispute during which she claims he was trying to strangle her, law enforcement officials said.

Around 7 a.m. on Jan. 25, officers responded to a home in Lanham, where they found 21-year-old Cristos Johnson suffering from stab wounds, according to the Prince George’s County Police Department.

Johnson was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police said Johnson and his mother, 42-year-old Querida Rivera, got into an altercation.

According to court documents obtained by WRC-TV, the fight between Rivera and Johnson reportedly lasted for several hours. Rivera told police that her son became aggressive and shoved her.

Rivera, court documents show, allegedly grabbed a knife from upstairs, returned downstairs and threatened to harm Johnson with the weapon. She claims her son then tried to strangle her, so she stabbed him.

A witness, however, told police that they didn’t see Johnson touch his mother before she got the knife. The witness claimed Rivera hit her son and then stabbed him, authorities said.

Rivera reportedly sustained bruises on her body and had a cut on her arm following the fatal attack.

Rivera was arrested and booked into the Department of Corrections on a first-degree murder, among others.

She was denied bond.

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During the hearing, Rivera’s mother reportedly testified that her daughter was a good mother and that Johnson had been aggressive toward Rivera in the past, WRC reported.

One of Johnson’s friends also testified in the case, saying, “He never would’ve put his hands on his mom. Like, that’s something he was big on.”