‘Humiliated’ Dad Stabbed Daughter to Death with Gold Knife for ‘Asking him to Watch her Children too Often’

A 64-year-old man, Fritzner Antoine, has been sentenced to 60 years in prison for the brutal stabbing death of his daughter, Sterline Antoine Joseph, in June 2023. The tragic incident occurred in Vincennes, Indiana, when Antoine allegedly killed his daughter after feeling “humiliated” by her repeatedly leaving her children in his care.

The Crime: A Disturbing Incident of Violence

On the morning of June 24, 2023, police responded to a call about a possible stabbing at a home located on Audubon Road in Vincennes, roughly 115 miles southwest of Indianapolis. Officers arrived to find Joseph, 30, suffering from what appeared to be multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities later learned that Joseph’s two children were present in the home at the time of the incident. They reportedly heard their mother’s screams as she was attacked by their grandfather. In the aftermath, Fritzner Antoine confessed to the crime, explaining that he felt disrespected and humiliated by his daughter’s actions.

Motive Behind the Killing: Disrespect and Anger

According to the probable cause affidavit, Antoine admitted that his daughter frequently left her children with him, and he became increasingly upset over this. He described how Joseph’s repeated requests for childcare made him feel “humiliated” and disrespected. Antoine claimed he picked up a “gold” table knife from the kitchen and initially intended to “flog” his daughter as a form of punishment for what he perceived as her disrespect. However, in a moment of rage, he fatally stabbed her instead. When questioned by the police, Antoine did not deny his actions. Upon being informed that he was under arrest for the murder of his daughter, he simply responded, “Yes, I agree.” He further acknowledged using the gold knife to stab Joseph, mentioning that he targeted her head and other areas of her body.

Sentencing and Final Words from the Judge

Knox County Circuit Judge Monica Gilmore sentenced Antoine to 60 years in prison, the sentence recommended by prosecutors. This lengthy prison term is expected to keep Antoine behind bars for the rest of his life, given his age. In her statement before the sentence was imposed, Judge Gilmore acknowledged the deep pain and loss suffered by Joseph’s family. “60 years or 600 years doesn’t change their lives,” Judge Gilmore remarked, emphasizing the limits of the justice system in providing closure for those who have lost loved ones. She noted the emotional impact of seeing Joseph’s family members in the courtroom, underscoring the difficulty in offering true justice for such a devastating crime. Antoine and his daughter had only recently moved to Vincennes, Indiana, from Haiti, a fact that adds another layer of complexity to this tragic case. Despite the family’s attempt to start anew in the United States, the violence ultimately ended Joseph’s life in a brutal and senseless act of anger.

Conclusion: A Family Devastated by Violence

The case serves as a painful reminder of the unpredictable nature of family dynamics and the potential for violence, even in close-knit relationships. Antoine’s actions have left his family in irreparable grief, with the loss of a daughter and mother that can never be truly compensated by a prison sentence. As the case draws to a close, it serves as a tragic chapter in a family’s history, with lasting emotional scars for all involved.