Attorney: Woman Stabbed Mother To Death In Self-Defense

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Catherine Grier's family struggled to listen to details in court about how the 19-year-old woman killed her 58-year-old mother Brenda Johnson. 

A county homicide detective testified that Grier confessed to stabbing her mother during a heated argument and fight.

"The family is in Catherine's corner. They stand behind her because they know the type of violence that Catherine endured at the hands of her mother," said defense attorney Blaine Jones.

The stabbing happened on June 23 at the family's East Pittsburgh apartment. A detective testifid that Grier got into an argument with her mother and left the apartment. Her attorney stated Brenda Johnson had been drinking and when Grier came back the argument continued and they started fighting.

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"Her mother was only psychlogically abusing her but then she started to beat her up and Catherince acted in self-defense. Whether it's your mother, father or who ever no one has the right to put their hands on you," Jones said.

The Assistant D.A. said Johnson died from stabs wounds to the chest and neck. Authorities said Grier called 23-year old Keith Blackman who also faces charges for allegedly helping her cover the woman's body with garbage bags.

"Catherine endured two lifetimes of psychological abuse from a her mother, unfortunately we're here today because of that psychological abuse, it was constant," Jones said.

Catherine Grier will be tried on charges of criminal homicide, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse.