TAMARAC, FL – Jurors listened intently on Monday as a New York woman facing a murder charge described her actions on the witness stand, claiming she acted in self-defense when she fatally stabbed her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend at an apartment in southern Florida.
Sakiyna Thompson, 31, is accused of traveling from New York to Tamarac, a city in Broward County, with the intention of confronting 23-year-old Kayla Hodgson on July 13, 2022. According to investigators, the confrontation ended with Hodgson suffering dozens of stab wounds inside her own apartment.
During her testimony, Thompson admitted to killing Hodgson but said it was not premeditated, insisting she sought only to discuss their shared romantic entanglement with Hodgson face to face. She told the court an argument quickly escalated, leading to a violent struggle.
Thompson alleged that Hodgson attacked her first, slashing her across the abdomen with a shard of glass from a hookah. Thompson, who was pregnant at the time of the incident, said she lost consciousness during the fight and only regained awareness to find herself holding the knife with Hodgson motionless on the floor.
Prosecutors pointed out the severity of Hodgson’s injuries, noting she had been stabbed multiple times. Thompson did not deny her role in the violence, but repeatedly claimed she had not intended to kill Hodgson and had acted in fear for her own life.
Following the altercation, Thompson stated she changed into Hodgson’s clothing and attempted to clean the apartment before leaving the scene. She left Florida immediately, driving back to New York as panic and shock overcame her. Thompson admitted to never calling law enforcement.
Authorities launched a search for Thompson after Hodgson’s body was discovered. She was taken into custody in New York on August 3 and subsequently extradited to Florida to face a first-degree murder charge.
The case drew attention due to its cross-state nature and the personal history connecting those involved. On Tuesday, both prosecution and defense were scheduled to deliver their closing arguments, allowing the jury to deliberate on Thompson’s fate.
Hodgson’s family has since mourned the loss of their daughter and raised funds through an online campaign, remembering her as a devoted daughter, big sister, and friend. The trial continues in Broward County, where the outcome now rests with the jury.