Testimony leads police to 2nd knife in fatal Staunton stabbing

Staunton police have found a second knife that they say might have been used in a killing last month in the city’s troubled Stafford Street neighborhood.

After the testimony of a witness pointed authorities to a tree in the backyard of Nettie Lee Salisbury’s home at 135 Stafford St., police found a black-handled steak knife, according to search warrants returned to courts last week.

Salisbury, 43, faces a first-degree murder charge in the Sept. 14 stabbing of Kevin L. Bryant, 45. A 12-inch kitchen knife was found during the week of the killing, police said.

Police warrants also provide a timeline of the night of the stabbing.

Several witnesses said Bryant and Salisbury argued about a pair of shoes shortly before three relatives saw Salisbury take a knife outside, where she was seen lunging at Bryant, according to warrants. Witnesses identified the weapon as a kitchen knife with a black or brown handle, according to police.

Police found Bryant with a stab wound in the middle of his chest. The Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad transported him to Augusta Medical Center in Fishersville, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

Within 24 hours, police arrested Salisbury and two other men on misdemeanor charges.

Police charged George Battle, 50, who lived with Salisbury, and his brother, Roy G. Battle, 46, of Montgomery Avenue, with being accessories after the fact for first-degree murder. They were released on summons. Roy Battle was charged with public swearing and intoxication eight days later.

The testimony that sent police back to Stafford Street came from a witness Sept. 25 during a special grand jury. The witness said that the day after the stabbing, Salisbury was heard saying, “go look under that tree and see if you can find the knife,” according to the warrant.

Salisbury, awaiting a Dec. 10 hearing, is being held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail in Verona.