KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. — A 57-year-old man was convicted of second-degree murder and tampering with evidence after stabbing and killing a middleman during a marijuana sale, according to the Knox County District Attorney's Office.
On Feb. 6, 2023, Mark Lowayne Venson went to the Vista at Summit Hill Apartments to buy marijuana. In the breezeway, Venson gave $40 to the victim who was a runner for one of the drug dealers in the apartment complex.
The victim took the $40 to the marijuana supplier and returned to the parking lot to give Venson his marijuana, the DA said. Venson began arguing with the victim about the amount of marijuana provided and demanded either money back or more marijuana.
The victim tried to walk away from the situation but he followed him up a stairwell.
Venson drew a knife and stabbed the victim in the chest and shoulder and slashed him across the head and ear, the DA said. He fled the scene and threw away the knife but was caught later in the day by the Knoxville Police Department.
According to the DA, Venson has nine prior felony convictions from Kentucky and Sumner County.
A sentencing case has been set for April 5.
