Witness describes murder of young mother inside Dale City home

The final 48-hours of Erica Renae Sherwood’s life were spent trying to get away from her husband, according to a friend who testified in court today.

Sharae Nicole Harris took the witness stand in a Prince William County courtroom to talk about the Erica Sherwood, the 21-year old victim, and her friend of more than 10 years, who was killed in Dale City on New Year’s Day.

Harris told Judge H. Jan Rolsch-Anoll that Sherwood asked if she and her young son could stay at the house that she lived at with her mother on Concord Drive for a few days.

Two days before New Year’s Day, Sherwood brought her young son to stay with Harris. Sherwood was murdered in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day at the hands of her husband John Sherwood, prosecutors said.

Before Erica Sherwood was murdered, five adults, including Erica, gathered at Harris’ mother’s home for a New Year’s Eve party. The adults gathered in the kitchen to listen to music and to drink champagne while the sons of both Harris and Sherwood slept in back bedrooms. John Sherwood showed up to the party about 9 p.m. uninvited, said Harris. He was not asked to leave.

While there, the Sherwoods broke away from the group, went into a corner and had a private conversation. Harris said the two were arguing, though it was not heated.

Harris said John Sherwood was upset that his wife had been drinking. He also suspected his wife of cheating on him, Harris later told the judge.

Before midnight, Harris retired to her bedroom to be with her sleeping son. She prearranged with all of her party guests that they would spend the night at her mother’s house, Harris added.

All guests except John Sherwood.

Later, Erica burst into Harris’ room in a panic saying “John is trying to kill me,” said Harris.

Harris leapt from the bed leaving behind her son and took Erica into a bathroom. Both women saw John Sherwood approaching them from a hallway, and then shut the bathroom door behind them, Harris testified.
Sherwood tried to break the door down using his shoulder, said Harris. She tried to use her body to prevent him from getting into the unlit room, but it didn’t work, said Harris.

Frightened, Harris jumped into a bathtub while Sherwood began hitting his wife in the face, said Harris. He demanded to know who Erica had been cheating on him with, said Harris. Then Sherwood grabbed his wife from behind, used a knife, and slit her throat, said Harris.

Erica fell to the floor gasping for air trying to speak, said Harris.

Sherwood then punched Harris, who was still in the bathtub, while Erica lay on the floor dying, said Harris.

Trying to speak, the victim was able to mutter “Help me, Sharae,” said Harris.

Sherwood fled the scene, and Harris grabbed her son and Erica’s son and went to a neighbor’s house to call 9-1-1.

Harris later told the judge Erica Sherwood’s son had been awake during the struggle saw her mother murdered.

Before Erica was slain, Harris pleaded with her alleged attacker.
“I told John to think about his son,” said Harris.

Police arrived at the home and showed Harris a photo of the knife that was used to kill Erica Sherwood. Harris said the knife was one that she used in her home.

Harris and a Prince William police detective are slated to testify at a custody hearing for the Sherwoods’ son on April 27.

Judge Rolsch-Anoll said the prosecution successfully demonstrated Sherwood had probable cause to kill his wife. Now the case moves to a grand jury in May and will be scheduled for trial sometime after that.