KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — On Thursday, a man facing charges for allegedly fatally stabbing his father made his initial court appearance. The incident culminated in a dramatic chase through Hawkins County.
Levi Carter was formally arrested on June 9 and charged with second-degree murder after authorities claimed he killed his father, Anthony Carter, at their residence on Hickory Street in Kingsport. The following day, June 10, Carter reportedly led police on a high-speed chase that spanned across state lines, ultimately ending when he collided with a police vehicle in Hawkins County, leading to his arrest.
During the court proceedings, Detective Corporal William Clare of the Kingsport Police Department testified, highlighting the existence of “essentially three crime scenes on the property,” marked by a trail of blood stretching from the basement to various parts of the home.
Clare recounted that Levi Carter provided him with an account of the events on the night the alleged murder took place.
“Initially, he said that they were arguing about father and son stuff,” Clare said. “Eventually, he told me that his father wouldn’t stop. Specifically, that they squabbled about father-son stuff. They were both sitting in chairs, and he was having some difficulties to his father. And his father said something that set him off, and he eventually stood up and stabbed him.”
Clare said Levi Carter told him, “Sometimes we gotta do what we gotta do,” and that his response to his father’s death was “Oh, boy.”
Clare said that he interrogated Levi Carter for 32 minutes and that he did not appear to be under the influence.
When asked if Levi Carter’s version of events matched what detectives discovered at the home, Clare said yes and further explained the blood patterns found at the scene.
According to what other family members told Clare, Levi and Anthony Carter had a close relationship and often spent time together. Clare said the knife used in the murder was allegedly lost while Levi Carter was evading police.
The judge set Levi Carter’s bond at $500,000.