Home / Crime and Justice / Student Claims 'Wicked Eye' Before Fatal Stabbing
Student Claims 'Wicked Eye' Before Fatal Stabbing
26 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Student claims girlfriend had 'wicked look' before attack.
- He fatally stabbed her after she came at him with a knife.
- He denies murder, citing self-defense in London flat.
Joshua Michals, a 26-year-old American student, is on trial at the Old Bailey for the murder of his girlfriend, Zhe Wang, 31. Michals testified that Wang, a creative writing student, attacked him with a knife in her London flat on March 20 last year, describing her demeanor as 'demented' with a 'wicked look.' He claims he acted in self-defense during the ensuing struggle.
Michals recounted going to Wang's flat to bring normalcy to a tense situation, only to find her distressed. He stated she confronted him with a knife, prompting a physical altercation. During the struggle, the knife caused a cut on Wang's face, and Michals described her as having a 'blood red face' before she stumbled back. He denies intentionally striking her, asserting he only wanted to get away from her.
