Lesbian Sailor Guilty in Woman’s Slaying

After deliberating for less than three hours, a Superior Court jury on Thursday convicted a lesbian sailor of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of another Navy woman last fall.

Sherral Lyn Clayton, 24, of Lemon Grove, showed little reaction to the verdict. San Diego Superior Court Judge Carlos Cazares set sentencing for March 6. Clayton could receive a sentence of 25 years to life in state prison for the Oct. 7 slaying of Shelly Dupee, 21, of Spring Valley.

During closing arguments Thursday, Deputy Dist. Atty. Lisa Chappell said the crime was premeditated and urged jurors to convict Clayton of first-degree murder. Chappell said the victim was stabbed 54 times and her throat was slashed.

But Clayton’s attorney, Elliot Lande, argued that his client should be acquitted based on her testimony that she stabbed Dupee in self-defense after Dupee suddenly attacked her in her apartment.

The dispute between the two women erupted over a third woman--Debbie Picklesimer--whom both had dated, according to testimony. Clayton testified that, just before waving a knife, Dupee had declared, “You’re not going to take Debbie away from me.”

In closing arguments, Lande said, “It is clear that Shelly Dupee was a very jealous woman. It is clear that she was mean-spirited.”

In rebuttal, Chappell said: “She killed the competition.”

Clayton received several cuts on her hand during the struggle and was in a hospital receiving stitches when she was arrested.