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Zachary Latham TikTok "Karen" Stabbing
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About
Zachary Latham TikTok "Karen" Stabbing refers to a crime allegedly committed by 20-year-old New Jersey-based TikToker Zachary Latham (@c6_zaach) in 2020 involving the fatal stabbing of William T. Durham Sr. The crime came after weeks of reported conflict between Latham and the Durham family, who were his neighbors, coming to a head when Latham recorded and posted a video to TikTok of an altercation with Catherine Durham, labeling her a Karen. The video went viral, and weeks later, Latham allegedly stabbed her husband in self-defense when an altercation occurred in his garage. In early 2023, Zachary Latham's trial began, resulting in viral discourse and sharing of the original "Karen" video. Many online debated whether the stabbing was in self-defense or not as it trended.
History
On May 7th, 2020, it was reported by NJ.com[1] that then-18-year-old Zachary Latham had allegedly stabbed his 51-year-old neighbor William T. Durham Sr. multiple times on May 4th, 2020, in Vineland, New Jersey. It was reported that Latham had tried swerving into one of Durham's kids when driving, eventually leading to the fatal altercation. Latham was taken into custody by police shortly after the incident.[1]
In the month that followed Latham's arrest, reports of his TikTok account soon emerged, including one video that had gained over 3.1 million plays and labeled Mrs. Durham as a "Karen."[2] The video was supposedly taken six weeks prior to the fatal stabbing and was used as evidence for Latham's alleged weeks-long harassment of the Durham family.[3] The "Karen" video was supposedly taken by Latham's wife named Sarah.[3]
Online Reaction
As the news initially broke online, viral videos covering the story surfaced on YouTube and TikTok. For instance, on November 19th, 2020, YouTuber[4] Mori posted a video that covered the story's timeline, gaining roughly 9.1 million views and 347,000 likes in two and a half years (shown below, left). On June 12th, 2021, the YouTube[5] channel of BuzzFeed Unsolved posted a similar video, earning roughly 926,600 views and 30,000 likes in two years (shown below, right).
Developments
Trial
On March 27th, 2023, the trial for Latham's case began in New Jersey.[6] Latham ultimately pleaded not guilty, claiming that he was acting in self-defense.[3] Amid the trial, a fuller picture of what occurred on May 4th, 2020, emerged. Allegedly, Latham swerved and honked at Durham's son, Gage Durham, when riding his bike.[3] Later in the day, the Durhams confronted Latham about swerving to hit their son, to which Durham denied and became violent, allegedly hitting a cellphone out of Mrs. Durham's hand.[3] He then drove to his house as the Durhams followed and confronted him in his own garage.[3] Latham was armed with a stun gun and knife when they came into his garage, leading to the fatal stabbing that Durham claimed was self-defense.[3]
Latham's wife Sarah recorded a video when the Durhams arrived in their pick-up truck moments before the fatal stabbing.[3] The video was presented in court and eventually reposted by TikToker[7] by @theshamingofjay on April 4th, 2023, earning roughly 10.1 million plays and 634,500 likes in one day (shown below).
@theshamingofjay Cell phone video from the #zacharylatham case #truecrime #truecrimetiktok #truecrimecommunity ♬ original sound – theshamingofjay
Before the aforementioned video was taken on May 4th, 2020, Latham's wife Sarah took another video of the altercation that occurred at the Durhams' house (when Latham knocked the phone out of Mrs. Durham's hand) before the eventual stabbing in Latham's garage. The video was presented in trial, and it was also reposted by TikToker[8] @theshamingofjay on April 3rd, 2023, gaining roughly 333,200 plays and 13,800 likes in two days (shown below).
@theshamingofjay After this video “karens” husband and sons drove to #zacharylatham house where the incident occurred #truecrime #truecrimetiktok #truecrimecommunity ♬ original sound – theshamingofjay
Search Interest
External References
[1] NJ.com – Corrections officer stabbed to death in fight with 18-year-old neighbor
[2] NJ.com – Prosecutor appeals release of neighbor accused in corrections officer’s killing
[3] NJ.com – It started with ‘Karen’ insult, ended with man’s death. Son testifies about neighbor feud.
[4] YouTube – The Boy Who Murdered His Neighbor For Tik Tok..
[5] YouTube – Murdering A Neighbor For TikTok Fame: Zachary Latham
[6] NJ.com – Trial begins this week for neighbor accused of killing N.J. corrections officer in bloody family feud
[7] TikTok – @theshamingofjay
[8] TikTok – @theshamingofjay
