Shanterrica Madden

Madden is accused of fatally stabbing her 21-year-old roommate, Lady Raider Tina Stewart, during a March 2 altercation.

Madden appeared with defense attorney Joe Brandon Jr. to be arraigned at the Rutherford County Courthouse and pled not guilty to the first-degree murder charge, as well as tampering with evidence.

Although Assistant District Attorney J. Paul Newman has not said whether a plea deal would be offered, additional hearings are set for August to determine if that is a possibility.

Brandon said Wednesday afternoon that a discussion date has been set for Aug. 5, which will be followed by an Aug. 23 “plea date.” However, he made no statements regarding whether or not the defense would agree to any plea deal, if offered by the prosecution.

He said the defense would continue to prepare for trial in January.

“We fully expect that she will receive a fair trial,” Brandon said.

Brandon contends Madden acted in self-defense when the fight broke out between the two women, both of whom grew up in Memphis.

Madden’s arraignment had been scheduled for Monday, but it was pushed to Wednesday after the prosecution opposed a motion filed by the defense to wave her appearance.

Stewart’s family was present for the arraignment, including her sister, Monika Jones.

Standing with her family outside of the courtroom, Jones said she hoped Madden’s case would go to trial because the defendant is a “monster.”

She said she wants Madden to spend the rest of her life in jail, but added she did not think the 18-year-old should face the death penalty.

Brandon said Madden is “very sorry this occurred,” adding she is in tears every time they meet to discuss the case.

“It’s such a tragic situation all the way around,” he said. “It [was] a series of unfortunate events that led to an extremely unfortunate outcome.”