Suspect who stabbed sister plans to be his own attorney

Tony Adams, 412 Anchorage, was arrested Tuesday afternoon and charged with attempted first-degree murder. His sister, Teresa Adams, received nine stab wounds on her back, arm and head.

A witness told police that Tony Adams was arguing with Teresa Adams about her not cooking chicken. During the disagreement, Tony Adams reportedly grabbed a knife and uttered a statement about returning to jail. Then, he began stabbing his sister, the arrest warrant stated.

Adams was pushed out the front door and Dyersburg Police found him walking north on Anchorage Avenue, still carrying the 6-inch serrated knife. As police arrived, Adams tossed the knife into a roadside ditch and put his hands in the air. He told police: "I stabbed my sister, and the knife's in the ditch back there." The police report said Adams surrendered because he didn't want to be shot.

Adams appeared in Dyersburg city court Friday, April 18. He declined Judge Dean Dedmon's efforts to appoint an attorney to represent him.

Dedmon said the first lesson any young lawyer learns is that a man who represents himself has a fool for a client.

"I'll be a fool today," Adams said.

Dedmon said he'd appoint an "elbow counsel," or an attorney who will sit beside Adams and answer questions about legal issues.

Adams declined that, too.

Adams is being held in the Dyer County Jail, unable to make a $500,000 bond. While considering whether the bond should be adjusted, Assistant District Attorney Jim Horner asked Adams about his background and his plans.

Adams said he hasn't been able to get a job since he left the Huddle House three years ago. He was convicted in 1993 for selling cocaine and was indicted in February, along with another sister, Katie Adams, on a charge of selling less than a half-gram of cocaine. Tony Adams said Friday that he "didn't do that," referring to the new drug charge.

Tony Adams, who posted a $15,000 bond on the cocaine charge, appeared in Circuit Court on Tuesday morning. He requested a speedy trial and Judge Lee Moore scheduled a May 28 trial for both members of the Adams family.

At Friday's bond hearing in city court, Horner asked Adams what he'd do if he were able to post bond.

"I would probably try to leave town as soon as possible," Adams replied.

"OK, gentlemen, I've heard all I need to hear," Judge Dedmon said. He announced that the $500,000 bond would stand.

Adams is scheduled to return to city court at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 22.