Florida Instagram model Courtney Clenney, of Miami, “will be arrested” in connection to the April 3 stabbing death of her 27-year-old boyfriend Christian Tobechukwu “Toby” Obumseli, an attorney representing the victim’s family said.
Authorities have not formally charged Clenney in Obumseli’s fatal stabbing after claiming that she acted in self-defense. However, in an April Instagram post, the victim’s brother, Jeffrey Obumseli, said he believes Clenney did not face any charge because of her “privilege as a wealthy White woman.”
“[I]t received national exposure and outcry from…everyone who believed it was clear she is being treated with privilege,” Obumseli family lawyer Larry Handfield told Fox News Digital of the case. “She had been treated contrary to [how] any other person would have been treated. And so at this point, I am confident that if a total objective, clear investigation is done, that she will be arrested.”
The victim’s family attorney told Fox News that the Miami Police Department had “no other choice but to reopen the investigation” after apparently reaching “a conclusion less than 24 hours after the murder of Mr’ Obumseli” because they did not immediately interview Clenney.
Obumseli, 27, was stabbed with a kitchen knife during a domestic violence incident between him and Clenney last month. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Miami police said in a statement at the time.
Clenney’s lawyer, Frank Prieto, previously said his client was acting in self-defense.
“Since the events of that tragic night, Courtney has been filled with absolute grief and despair,” Prieto said in an April statement. “Courtney is mourning the loss of Mr. Obumseli, in private, out of respect for his family. There is nothing we can say to alleviate the pain his family is going through; however, their calls for justice and an arrest in this matter are misplaced.”
He continued: “It is absolutely irresponsible for the family’s attorney … to allege that the events of that evening were ‘unprovoked’ or to insinuate that she is being afforded special treatment. There is competent and substantial evidence that Courtney is the victim of domestic violence and possibly human trafficking. There is no doubt the two of them had a tumultuous relationship; moreover, there is evidence that Courtney was a victim of physical, emotional, and mental abuse at the hands of Obumseli. That night was no different and Courtney had the right to defend herself out of fear for her life.”
