FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Abigail Tipton, 21, had her first court appearance on Monday, December 9.
- The incident occurred after Tipton’s boyfriend’s mother let a dog off a chain and it was hit by a car
- Tipton is charged with voluntary manslaughter
- Tipton’s bond was kept at $100,000
According to the arrest warrant, Tipton got into an altercation with her boyfriend’s mother after she let a dog off a chain and it was hit by a car. The victim was identified as Maria Adame.
Inside the homicide interview room, Tipton initially gave inconsistent versions of what happened. Tipton said that Adame came at her with a knife, lunged at her, and lightly held it to her chest before returning it to the bedroom.
Police said the scratches observed did not appear to be made by a lunging knife and were likely self-inflicted. Although, Tipton did have other cuts and bruises that are consistent with being in a physical altercation.
The warrant states that the fight continued into the bedroom where Tipton struck Adame in the head with a cup that shattered. Tipton advised that she held the victim face down and struck her with a pan multiple times until the handle broke.
Tipton said she then called her boyfriend and then called 911.
Tipton is charged with voluntary manslaughter.
District Attorney Billy West advised the judge that the state accepted the current charges as well as the bond staying at $100,000.
Her bond was kept at $100,000 and if released, she would be required to wear a GPS ankle monitor and is to have no contact with the victim's family.
“Tragic situation I mean you got a domestic situation those are always some of the worst you know what possibly could’ve been a minor argument lead to somebody’s death, and it’s just very unfortunate but that’s what happened,” West said.
West says they are still in the early stages of investigation. So others may need to be charged or charges may need to be added.