Defendant's cousin outlines online argument ahead of Elyria stabbing death

In the moments before and after Eboni McElroy allegedly stabbed another woman, she communicated with her cousin via text and FaceTime. Tnariya Berry testified Thursday in the case against McElroy, 20. She is charged with murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence, accused of stabbing 20-year-old Isis Bennett to death inside a Middle Avenue home on May 8, 2020, after an online argument became violent in real life. The argument revolved around Bennett's contact and flirtation with McElroy's boyfriend, Estaban Gutierrez. On the morning of May 8, McElroy had awakened her boyfriend with text messages she had found in his phone sent to Bennett. Later that morning, McElroy began texting Berry about the incident, asking where Bennett lives and threatening to kick in her door. "I wish I had a gun," McElroy texted Berry. To which Berry replied, "B****, no." Berry said she never felt that McElroy was serious about hurting Bennett, as she said that's just how McElroy talks sometimes. An online argument with Bennett started with a Facebook post she made before May 8, saying she would shoot girls who messed around with other girls' men. The morning of May 8, McElroy shared the post, commenting "funny." Bennett commented several times on Facebook. "If you want to fight, just say that," read one comment. Berry also jumped into the post, and a fight between Bennett, Berry and Bennett's sister ensued. During that time, Berry was FaceTiming McElroy. She said McElroy never told her to post anything, but that she did it on her own. Berry said Bennett had always been nice to her, but said she was always in drama, whether it be on Facebook or with her children's fathers. When McElroy finally jumped into the Facebook comments, repeatedly telling Bennett not to come to the house on Middle Avenue. Bennett said she didn't want McElroy's boyfriend, and that there wasn't a romantic connection between them. In the minutes before the stabbing, McElroy and Berry were on the phone. Berry said she heard McElroy repeatedly tell someone to "get f*** out, get the f*** out. B****, b****." After the stabbing, Berry and Bennett FaceTimed for 1 minute and 15 seconds. The call ended quickly so that 911 could be called. Berry herself did not call 911, as she said she was panicking and she also had a warrant at the time. They FaceTimed again for only 39 seconds. Bureau of Criminal Investigation analyst Lindsey Nelsen-Rausch later took the stand, confirming the knife used in the stabbing had Bennett's blood on the blade and handle. The trial continues 9 a.m. today in Judge Raymond Ewers' courtroom. Reporter Carissa Woytach contributed to this story. Contact Laina Yost at (440) 329-7121 or lyost@chroniclet.com.