Woman admits to fatal stabbing in brawl that started as an argument over a cigarette at Dorchester party

Facing life without the possibility of parole for the stabbing death of Maria Sanchez in 2014, a Dorchester woman today pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 12 to 13 years in state prison, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports.

Takisa Matthews, 32, admitted she killed Sanchez - and repeatedly stabbed another woman in the stomach - early on Oct. 18 outside 188 Washington St. Her plea came today in Suffolk Superior Court, where a judge was overseeing the empaneling of a jury to try her for first-degree murder.

According to the DA's office, Matthews and Sanchez were part of two separate groups - both unknown to each other - who attended a party there.

During the party, an argument arose between members of the two groups regarding a cigarette. A member of Matthew’s group was removed from the party, but the confrontation with remaining members continued, prompting Sanchez to spray mace.

The party’s host soon shut the gathering down; however, the confrontation between the two groups continued outside the building. Sanchez and Matthews then fought on the stairs, where Matthews suffered a stab wound to the arm, and again in a nearby parking lot. During that final altercation, Matthews stabbed the surviving victim multiple times in the abdomen and then stabbed Sanchez in the back and shoulder as Sanchez fought with another acquaintance of Matthews.

Both victims were critically injured. Sanchez later died of her injuries at Boston Medical Center. The second victim was treated at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and survived her injuries.

Matthews sought treatment later that day of a stab wound to her arm, telling medical staff and Boston Police detectives that she had been stabbed during a robbery, but Boston Police homicide detectives collected witness statements and forensic evidence identifying her as the assailant.