Deaveon Brown’s attorneys argued self-defense, while prosecutors said video showed he could have left before the stabbing.
ORLANDO, FL — A judge ordered a 28-year-old man accused of stabbing another man in downtown Orlando to remain jailed without bond on his most serious charge after a Tuesday hearing focused on whether he acted in self-defense.
Deaveon Jaquan Brown has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder in connection with the Oct. 9 stabbing of Kevin Newhard near Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard. Judge Vincent Falcone III granted the state’s request for pretrial detention on the attempted murder charge, finding that no release conditions would adequately protect the community. Brown remains presumed innocent as the criminal case proceeds.
The hearing centered on video evidence and testimony about how the confrontation unfolded. Orlando police Detective John Dalles testified that Brown said he had been waiting for an Uber when Newhard approached on a bicycle and the two began arguing. According to investigators, Newhard initially displayed a knife before throwing it to the ground and later swinging a belt during the confrontation.
Police allege Brown gained control of the knife and moved toward Newhard after Newhard had fallen near the curb. Investigators said Brown then stabbed Newhard four times. Newhard suffered serious injuries, including a wound to his liver, and was taken to a hospital. Orlando police have since said he is expected to survive.
Prosecutors argued that Brown had an opportunity to leave after the knife was on the ground and the immediate threat had been reduced. They told the court that video showed Brown closing a gap of several feet before the stabbing. The state also cited Brown’s criminal history in asking the judge to keep him in custody while the case moves forward.
Brown’s defense attorney, Christian Mota, argued that Newhard was the initial aggressor and that Brown acted to defend himself during a fast-moving confrontation. The defense emphasized that Newhard was accused of introducing the knife into the encounter and argued that Brown should not be judged as though he had time to make perfect decisions during the fight.
Falcone said prosecutors had shown a substantial probability that Brown committed a dangerous felony, according to reports from the hearing. The judge said the evidence at this stage did not establish a substantial probability of premeditation but did support a finding that Brown committed either attempted second-degree murder or aggravated battery causing great bodily harm with a weapon. He also found a substantial probability that Brown’s self-defense claim would not apply based on the evidence presented so far.
Brown also faces charges of aggravated battery with a weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and use of a weapon in the commission of a felony. Bond was set on those counts, but the no-bond order on the attempted murder charge keeps him in the Orange County Jail.
The stabbing occurred after Orlando police had received a separate report at about 10:10 p.m. of a person waving a knife near South Magnolia Avenue. Police said bike officers arrived within minutes and searched the area but did not find that person. Officers later saw the confrontation near Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard at about 10:31 p.m. Police have not established publicly whether the earlier knife report involved either man in the later fight.
Orange County court records show Brown’s case as State of Florida v. Deaveon Jaquan Brown, with Falcone assigned as judge. Brown will remain in custody as the prosecution continues. A future court date had not been publicly listed in the records reviewed following Tuesday’s detention hearing.
Author note: Last updated October 14, 2026.