Graydon wants statements to police tossed

FAYETTEVILLE — Lawyers for a man charged with capital murder in a fatal stabbing last year have asked a judge to suppress statements he made to police.

Police found David Allen, 25, with stab wounds early Oct. 24 at Stadium Apartments, 1069 Olympic Place, Apt. 108. Allen died at a hospital. Police said Allen had been stabbed 10 times in the back and once in the neck.

Cantrell Graydon, 32, was arrested the day of the stabbing.

He’s charged with capital murder and a parole violation.

Witnesses at the apartment told police there was a f ight between family members, according to a report. Witnesses said they asked for help breaking up the fight, but “never told Graydon to get a knife or use it,” according to a police report.

Graydon told police he tried to break up the fight, but Allen “flipped out” on him. Graydon went to the kitchen, got a knife and stabbed Allen, police said.

Graydon threw the knife over a fence after the incident.

“All parties involved were extremely surprised by his actions,” according to the report.

He now claims statements he made to police were not knowingly and intelligently given because of brain injury and intoxication by prescription medications.

Graydon contends he was shot in the head several years ago in Little Rock and has an intellectual disability.

Graydon also has moved to suppress the 911 call to police and “gruesome” crime scene photographs.

Doctors at the Arkansas State Hospital in March found Graydon fit to stand trial.

According to Dr. Melissa Dannacher with the University of Arkansas for Medical Services, Graydon had the capacity at the time of the alleged offense to appreciate the criminality of his actions and conform his behavior to the requirements of the law.

Graydon has the capacity to understand the proceedings against him and assist in his defense, she said.

Dannacher diagnosed Graydon with mild neurocognitive disorder due to traumatic brain injury with behavioral disturbance; alcohol use in sustained remission in a controlled environment; and, malingering or faking symptoms.

He is being held at the Washington County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond.

Graydon