By RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times
Soldon Armstrong | Chicago Police
A West Side man who already served time for a murder was charged with fatally stabbing rival Fredrick Brown during a fight about drugs last spring in West Garfield Park.
Soldon Armstrong is accused of stabbing Brown in the chest and torso March 1 in the 3900 block of West Jackson.
Brown, 25, initially walked past Armstrong, but turned around and asked him about narcotics Armstrong had taken from him, Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Brian Whang said.
The two argued and eventually ended up fighting, Whang said at Armstrong’s bond hearing Thursday.
Fredrick Brown | Facebook
Brown’s friend tried to separate the men and, at one point, Brown had Armstrong in a headlock, Whang said.
The brawl seemed to have ended, but then Armstrong allegedly grabbed onto Brown’s jacket and threatened to kill Brown.
Brown was not fighting at this time, Whang said.
As Armstrong held onto Brown’s jacket, he took his free hand, pulled a knife out of his jacket and opened it with his teeth, Whang said.
Armstrong stabbed Brown in the chest and torso, Whang said.
When Brown fell to the ground, Armstrong walked away.
Several people witnessed the fight and a surveillance camera captured part of the attack, Whang said.
Brown was taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
A knife was recovered from Brown’s clothing, but there is no evidence he ever displayed or used the knife, Whang said.
Armstrong was convicted of murder in 1996 and sentenced to nearly three decades in prison, prosecutors said. The 40-year-old also has other convictions, mostly for drugs.
Armstrong, of the 3900 block of West Gladys, has four children — ages 1, 7, 23, and 24, an assistant public defender said.
His last job was at an area oil-change shop, the defense attorney said.
Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. ordered Armstrong held without bond.