Man accused in deadly lover’s quarrel claims self-defense in Spokane County Superior Court

SPOKANE, Wash. — A man accused of stabbing a man to death in November made his first court appearance for the second time Tuesday: this time, in Spokane County Superior Court.

Anthony Chastain is accused of stabbing a man to death on November 10, 2024, around 11:00 p.m. He had his first appearance in Spokane County District Court November 12, where his bond was held at $500,000.

Tuesday, in Superior Court, Chastain’s bail was once again held at $500,000 by Commissioner Eugene Cruz.

According to documents filed in Superior Court, witnesses told police that Javier Chavez said his girlfriend was cheating on him with Chastain. The woman had been dating Chavez prior to a stint in jail and had become involved with Chastain while Chavez was behind bars for six months.

On the night of November 10, witnesses said Chastain drove to the “Old” Hope House on 3rd Ave. in Spokane, and that Chavez ran to Chastain’s driver’s side door. The two began to fight, and a witness told officers he saw Chastain stab Chavez one time in the chest.

At the time of the incident, the woman involved in the love triangle had a daughter who was missing. According to the affidavit, Chastain received a text from someone he knew as “211” who said he had information about the daughter. Chastain was told to meet “211” at the “Old” Hope House, and that’s when the fight broke out.

In court Tuesday, Chastain’s attorney said this was a case of luring and self-defense, and that he was in the process of trying to obtain a record history of cell phone calls and text messages back and forth between the parties involved, leading up to the fight and stabbing.

Chavez’s mother addressed the court Tuesday, saying, in part, “he should not have been slaughtered like an animal. All of his family and friends are having a difficult time doing the day-by-day thing, not to mention the holidays.”

Chastain’s next court appearance is scheduled for December 24th.