‘I’m going to kill you.’ Gulfport man found guilty of attacking ex with knife
A Gulfport man who attacked an ex-girlfriend in her apartment, advancing on her with a knife until police arrived and incapacitated him with a Taser, was found guilty this week of burglary with intent to assault, District Attorney Joel Smith announced on Friday.
Adisa Jemel Braziel, 34, was convicted by a jury in Harrison County Circuit Court following a two-day trial.
Jurors heard how on the night of June 14, 2018, Braziel’s ex-girlfriend called 911 to say that Braziel had come to her apartment, punched and choked her, and refused to leave. The woman fled to a neighbor’s apartment, where she called the police.
The neighbor told the jury that Braziel had then come to his apartment with a large knife, tried to cut through a window screen, then kicked down the locked door. Braziel swung the knife at his ex-girlfriend, saying, “I’m going to kill you,” and cornered her in the kitchen, according to a press release from the district attorney’s office.
“The female held off Mr. Braziel by throwing items from the stove, including a pot of boiling hot dogs, and the hot grates from the stove, as Braziel continued to attempt to advance on her with the knife,” said Assistant District Attorney Ian Baker, who prosecuted the case with Beth McFayden.
Biloxi police arrived within 5 minutes of receiving a call. Footage from police body cameras showed that Braziel ignored police’s commands to stop and get on the ground. After an officer used a Taser on him, he was arrested.
Braziel also is accused of murdering Charles Johnson in August 2019, while he was out on bond awaiting trial for the charge of burglary with intent to assault.
Braziel is set to be sentenced for the burglary on Dec. 7, 2020, coinciding with his trial for Johnson’s shooting.
“Following his arrest on the murder, Braziel’s bond was revoked, and Braziel has been, and will remain, in custody pending trial on the murder and sentencing on the burglary,” the press release said.
Braziel could be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the burglary because of his prior felony convictions, including aggravated assault and drive by shooting.
