Little Rock man remains in Saline County Jail after April stabbing of Alexander council member

Little Rock resident Deontae McCrystal remains in the Saline County Detention Center on a charge of Aggravated Assault, a Class D Felony, in the stabbing of City of Alexander Council Member Jeffery Watson. McCrystal is 19. Bond has been set at $50,000.

Deontae McCrystal

Saline County Detention 

Center photo

The incident occurred on the evening of April 21, around 10 PM, in front of Watson’s home on Valley Drive. According to the police report several witnesses, including Watson’s wife Regina, told Officer Nick Salyers, “[A] group of individuals came down the road and attempted to fight,” with an individual whose name has been redacted. Apparently, the “fighting” involved two females over a male acquaintance.

The police report states Watson tried to get between the two females to break up the fight. “At this time three males … had jumped on Mr. Watson.” Watson then returned to the porch and told his wife he was bleeding.

It was then police were called and Alexander K-9 Officer Nick Salyers arrived on the scene. Salyers provided medical aide to reduce the bleeding. Salyers later received a Life Saving Award. More on that can be found here.

Once the ambulance arrived and took Watson to Baptist Hospital Officer Salyers began questioning witnesses. According to the report members of the Watson family said some of the males involved lived on Mountain Drive.

With the arrival of Chief Robert Burnett and Assistant Chief Richard Harper the three went to the Mountain Drive address provided by the Watsons. Once Police Detective Jessica Burnett arrived she and Chief Burnett went to the back door. Assistant Chief Harper and Officer Salyers went to the front door. After advising the homeowner of the situation the officers were allowed to enter.

“We entered the residence and located six individuals including the three male subjects that matched the descriptions given by the witnesses,” Officer Salyers states in the report. Two of the males were detained for questioning and McCrystal was handcuffed.

Officer Salyers walks McCrystal to his police vehicle. McCrystal was asked by Officer Salyers, “[I]f he had any weapons.”

The report quotes McCrystal as stating, “Yes, a knife.”

Officer Salyers asked McCrystal, “What knife?”

According to the report McCrystal said, “The one I stabbed him with.”

Using gloves Officer Salyers removed the knife and placed it into an evidence bag. The remaining items were removed from McCrystal’s pockets. He was placed into the police vehicle, read his Miranda Rights and transported to the Saline County Detention Center where he was booked and charged with Aggravated Assault.

Watson was transported to Baptist Hospital where he recovered. He was able to attend the May meeting of the Alexander City Council.