2 accused in fatal Detroit stabbing of man with broken bottle charged

A man and woman accused in the fatal stabbing of another man with a broken bottle at a Detroit liquor store last week have been charged, officials said.

Steven Lewis Hooks, 54, and Bernice Shaneka Chenevert, 31, both of Detroit, were arraigned last Friday, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.

Both defendants are charged with first-degree murder, officials said.

A magistrate ordered the two remanded to jail and scheduled their next court hearing for Monday, they said.

If convicted, they face up to life in prison.

Hooks’ attorney, Edward Bajoka, said he was just appointed to the case and has no comment at this time. Chenevert’s attorney, Ben Gonek, also said he had no comment.

Authorities allege the defendants stabbed and killed Cordell Harris, 40, of Detroit, last Tuesday.

Police said the incident happened at about noon at a liquor store in the 14800 block of Livernois Avenue near Fenkell Avenue.

According to a preliminary investigation, the victim spoke to Chenevert. After a brief exchange, she got into an argument with him, police said.

Detectives said she contacted Hooks and gave him a broken glass bottle, which he used to stab the victim multiple times in his neck.

Harris was privately conveyed to a hospital, where he died from his injuries, prosecutors said.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

X: @CharlesERamirez