Tim Powers

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This week's bizarre crime story comes courtesy of a woman in New Mexico who faces assault charges for stabbing a man after a dispute over the rules of the popular board game Monopoly.

According to The Smoking Gun, 60-year-old Laura Chavez and her boyfriend were playing monopoly at the woman's Santa Fe apartment when the two began arguing over each other's perceived fidelity to the rules of the classic game.

After a heated argument, Chavez repeatedly stabbed the man with a kitchen knife. The victim, 48-year-old Clyde "Butch" Smith, is in stable condition and is being treated for stab wounds to his head, neck and wrist.

In a revelation that might not surprise the savvy reader, police observed that both Chavez and Smith appeared to be intoxicated immediately after the incident.

Investigators say that Chavez allegedly struck Smith on the head with a glass bottle, and then proceeded to stab him several times in the head, neck, and wrist.

When police arrived on the scene, they found a heavily bloodied Smith. They also found Chavez covered in a significant amount of blood, and when they asked her if the blood belonged to Smith, she affirmed their suspicion.

Chavez will soon need to find a criminal defense attorney, as she is being charged with several crimes, including aggravated battery on a member of her household, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and battery against a police officer.

When news of the episode reached the media, the first question, naturally, was whether Smith actually cheated at Monopoly and, if so, what rules he violated.

The answer to this question, however, seems to be a bit of a mystery, as neither the alleged aggressor nor the victim has revealed details about their ill-fated game.

The only hint comes from Chavez's 10-year-old grandson, who was in the house at the time of the assault and had been playing the game with the two adults.

According to the grandson, his grandmother allegedly accused Smith of cheating at Monopoly, but she did not explain how she had cheated. Fortunately, the boy did not have to witness the incident, as Chavez thoughtfully put her grandson to bed before the melee began.

While this story serves as a reminder that serious assaults can begin for seemingly inane reasons, it also raises more serious questions about domestic violence.

Typically, Americans assume that domestic violence involves male-on-female violence, particularly in the case of disputes between romantic partners. However, while many incidents of domestic violence are male-on-female, females, too, sometimes commit crimes in the home.

In addition to transcending stereotypical gender norms, domestic violence also occurs in a vast range of relationships, from familial bonds to marriages to loosely organized romantic partnerships.

If you are seeking aggressive criminal representation by an experienced criminal defense attorney for your Denton County criminal case or arrest in Denton County, contact the offices of Tim Powers today. There is no charge or obligation for the initial consultation. 940.580.2899.

*Tim Powers is an attorney licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of Texas. Nothing in this article is intended to be legal advice. For legal advice about any specific legal question you should directly consult an attorney.