Wichita man fatally stabbed after family party in clash over leftover BBQ beans
The fatal stabbing of a 34-year-old man last month happened during a household clash over barbecued beans left over from a family party.
An arrest affidavit detailing evidence against David E. Staley says the 57-year-old accused Ryan Speight of eating beans left over from his nephew’s birthday get-together before he picked up a kitchen knife and stabbed Speight in their south Wichita home early on Aug. 2.
Staley told police he went to bed after his 40-year-old nephew’s party but was woken up by 34-year-old Speight pounding on their front door.
Staley let Speight in and later went into the kitchen “where the two of them began arguing about the leftover barbecue” in the refrigerator, the affidavit says.
Staley told police Speight became confrontational when questioned about eating the beans. He said Speight “pushed him against the stove and punched him once in the mouth,” leaving a red mark.
“David said he picked up a brown handled knife that was on the counter and jabbed Ryan one time in the chest” because “he felt Ryan was being aggressive.”
The affidavit says Staley told police he was trying to scare Speight and poked him “as a threat to get him to leave him alone.”
Another family member in the house told officers he heard Speight walking down the hallway and Staley say, “I’m going to stick you” after the kitchen argument.
Officers found Speight’s bleeding body in the hallway of the house, 2315 S. Pinecrest, when they arrived. He died from a stab wound to his chest that injured his heart but also had a knife wound on his right shoulder.
Staley is charged with voluntary manslaughter in the case. He is due in court again on Nov. 5, according to court records. Staley remains in the Sedgwick County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.
This story was originally published September 8, 2020 at 4:37 AM.
