Patrick Crowder Jr.

The mother and sister of a Flint man accused in the stabbing death of his father testified to the jury in the first day of his trial Tuesday that inflicting the wound with a knife was unintentional.

Patrick Crowder Jr.’s mother, Roshanda Crowder, and his older sister, Alexis Roberson, defended him as two of the witnesses in his aggravated assault trial in the 114th District Court.

Roshanda Crowder testified she was awakened Oct. 14 last year by her husband, Patrick Crowder Sr., yelling, “Get out of my house.”

Crowder Jr. was pushed a few times by his father and got up each time. Their son did nothing aggressive to his father at that point, she testified.

Roberson testified that the argument began when her brother said he couldn’t go to church.

Her father was punching his son, who swung his arms in a defensive way with a knife he got from the kitchen in his hand, Roberson testified.

There was a scuffle and the victim began to fall to the floor, Roshanda Crowder testified.

Prosecutors seek to prove Crowder Jr. intentionally or at least recklessly stabbed his father, which led to death. In opening statements, the state said Crowder Sr. died that night because his son lost his temper and made a split-second decision.

Crowder Jr., 23, is charged with aggravated assault with a weapon. He was initially indicted on a murder charge.

The defense said it was an argument that spiraled out of control. The defense told the jury they would hear from Crowder Jr. himself.

Smith County Sheriff’s Deputy Lee Webb, who responded to the call, testified the scene was chaotic.

Webb testified he detained Crowder Jr. with handcuffs after finding out he stabbed his father. Webb then took Crowder Jr. to his patrol vehicle.

Roshanda Crowder testified she was surprised her son was in a police car because it was a fight with Crowder Sr. as the aggressor. She testified that she doesn’t hold her son responsible for her husband’s death.

Roberson said she hadn’t seen a physical fight between her father and brother before.

On Webb’s body camera footage, Crowder Jr. was seen as upset as he pointed out the injury to Webb. Webb characterized the knife as a deadly weapon.

Dr. John Raleston, a pathologist who performed the autopsy, testified the cause of death was a stab wound to the face.

Toni Wallace, Crowder Sr.’s sister and Crowder Jr.’s aunt, told the state her brother was a stern but loving father. She called her nephew the “kindest person she’s ever known” and said he had a close relationship with his father.

The state rested Tuesday afternoon. The defense is scheduled to have more witnesses Wednesday starting at 8:30 a.m.