Fall River woman indicted in fatal road rage stabbing

A 32 year old Fall River woman accused of fatally stabbing a woman in a road rage incident earlier this year has been indicted.

According to Enterprise News, a Plymouth County grand jury returned indictments Tuesday charging Jacqueline Avelino Mendes with one count of murder and one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

At approximately 3:45 p.m. on June 28th, Brockton Police received multiple 911 calls reporting a stabbing in the vicinity of 276 Belmont Street and at the intersection of Grafton Street. Upon arrival, police and emergency medical personnel located Jennifer Landry of Brockton suffering from a stab wound to the right side of her neck. She was treated on scene and transported to Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton before she was transferred by helicopter to Boston Medical Center (BMC) for treatment. She was pronounced dead at BMC on Saturday.

State Police Detectives and Brockton Police developed information that a traffic confrontation ensued between Mendes and Landry prior to the stabbing. Mendes allegedly stabbed Landry with a knife and re-entered her vehicle and fled the scene. Mendes eventually arrived in the lobby of the Brockton Police Department.

According to the Assistant District Attorney, a witness saw the two women wrestling and throwing punches at each other before Mendes returned to her car, saying, “I’ve got something for you, bitch.”

Mendes attorney described Landry as the initial aggressor in the fight between the two, stating that the victim exited her vehicle after Mendes honked at her for repeatedly breaking in front of her.

Mendes previously pleaded not guilty claiming self defense in response to Landry raising her hand with a knife in her possession.

Mendes will continue to be held without bail.