Twins' fight costs one 18 months in jail

EPHRATA — An Ephrata woman who repeatedly stabbed her twin sister in December was sentenced Tuesday in Grant County Superior Court to 18 months in prison for the assault.

Sada Jaylene Joe, 27, was arrested Dec. 3 at her Fifth Avenue Southeast residence after sister and roommate Michelle Lynn Joe told police her twin was responsible for an attack leaving her with six stab wounds and a punctured lung, according to an Ephrata Police Department report.

Grant County Deputy Prosecutor Albert Lin originally charged Sada Joe with first-degree assault and domestic violence with a deadly weapon enhancement.

Sada Joe, in an agreement with prosecutors, has now pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree assault with a deadly weapon enhancement.

Her trial was scheduled to start Tuesday.

The 18-month prison term recommended by Lin was handed down by Grant County Superior Court Judge Evan Sperline.

The judge also required community custody, from 18 to 36 months, upon her release.

The twins apparently brawled after Sada Joe returned home early on Dec. 3, finding Michelle Joe inside with two male guests. Sada Joe told police the two men were not to be there.

After the men were asked to leave and escorted out, Sada Joe claims her sister started biting her. A cut on Sada Joe's hand was later treated by doctors. She also had what appeared to be bite marks on her forearm, police said. Michelle Joe contends her sister started the fight.

A witness later told police he saw the fight, separated the twins, only to watch as Sada Joe then darted from the kitchen moments later holding a knife.

Police arrived after someone from the house called 911. Michelle Joe was found bleeding and was transported to Samaritan Hospital. Medical staff found three stab wounds to her leg, one to the left arm, the chest and shoulder.

Michelle Joe told authorities she was stabbed with more than one knife.

Investigators found more than one bloodied knife at the scene, according to reports.

Sada Joe was arrested, taken to Grant County Jail and held on $250,000 bail.

Sada Joe was represented by defense lawyer Brent A. De Young.