The suspect in connection with the fatal stabbing of an 18-year-old girl at the MacArthur BART station Sunday night is now in custody. It was announced Monday just after 6:45 p.m. that 27-year-old John Lee Cowell, a transient in the Oakland-Emeryville area, was taken into custody at Pleasant Hill BART. Authorities say Cowell stabbed 18-year-old Nia Wilson and her sister 26-year-old Lahtifa Wilson late Sunday. The two were returning home from a family function. Court documents show a restraining order was filed in April 2016 by Kaiser Foundation against Cowell. Records indicate "civil harassment of employee" as the reason. In October of the same year, officials say Cowell was sentenced to two years in prison for second-degree robbery. Officials say he received 159 days of pre, post, and vested credit, the majority of which was granted by the judge in his case, for time served in jail while awaiting to be sentenced. He was released on parole in May 2018 after completing the full term of his sentence. Police will release more details at a press conference to be held at 8 p.m.
Via kron4.com
