November 5, 2025
PRESS RELEASE
(Escambia County, Florida) On October 31, 2025, Circuit Court Judge Amy Brodersen sentenced Jacobia Ladraina Newberry to twenty-five years in state prison for two counts of Attempted Second Degree Murder with a Weapon after being found guilty by a jury.
On the morning of August 3, 2024, two victims with life threatening stab wounds arrived at Baptist Hospital. Detective Martinez with the Pensacola Police Department responded to 2416 West Blount Street after receiving intelligence that the victims were attacked in the home. Detective Martinez made contact with the defendant who had a cut finger and stated he stabbed one victim in self-defense. The injuries suffered by the victims were horrific, and the trauma surgeon stated both were lucky to be alive given the severity of the injuries and amount of blood loss suffered by both. One victim suffered slashes and stabs to the neck. The female victim was stabbed near the carotid artery and lost nearly 40% of her blood before going into surgery. Based on the evidence presented at trial, the defendant’s assertion that he nearly killed one victim in self-defense was refuted. The victims were not armed, and the defendant was suspected of being under the influence of drugs when he attacked both victims.
The arrest and investigation were conducted by the Pensacola Police Department and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorney Ki Misora McInnis, who was assisted by Assistant State Attorney Maggie Crain, prosecuted the case on behalf of Ginger Bowden Madden, State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida. For more information, please contact Ms. Madden at (850) 595-4200.
