Woman arrested in stabbing death outside bar goes before judge

By Bethany Barnes

Friday, Nov. 15, 2013 | 8:39 a.m.

A 22-year-old woman arrested in the stabbing death of another woman outside a Maryland Parkway bar made a first appearance today in Las Vegas Township Justice Court.

A preliminary hearing was set for Dec. 3 for Sarah Chavez, 22, who is charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of Misty Madera, 30.

Madera was stabbed to death Tuesday outside Champagnes Cafe, 3557 S. Maryland Parkway, after a fight spilled out of the bar into the parking lot, according to a Metro Police report.

Chavez’s parents and people close to Madera were in court this morning.

Witnesses, including a bartender, told police the dispute apparently was triggered when Madera tripped Chavez’s boyfriend in the bar, according to the Metro report.

A series of arguments ensued and escalated into a three-way fight between Chavez, Madera and Madera’s sister, police said.

The fight spilled out a back door and into the parking lot.

A bar patron separated Chavez and Madera, but Chavez reached around and punched Madera, police said. Witnesses reported hearing Madera yell, “She has a knife,” the police report said.

Police discovered a Smith and Wesson folding knife near the scene.

When Metro officers arrived, Chavez was covered with blood and being detained by a patron, police said. Madera was transported to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, where she later died.