A 31-year-old Annapolis woman was charged yesterday with trying to kill another woman by slashing the victim with a knife, police said.

Joy Douvella James, 31, of no fixed address, was charged with assault with intent to murder and was being held last night at the county Detention Center, awaiting a bail review, police said.

Police said Ms. James was arguing with Desheria L. Franklin, 22, at the victim's Annapolis-area home about 3 p.m. They said the suspect allegedly threw a dining room chair at Ms. Franklin. Ms. James then allegedly attacked Ms. Franklin with three knifes, including a butcher knife, police said.

Ms. Franklin grabbed the chair and held it in front of her face to protect herself but was slashed on the right hand, police said. She was treated at Anne Arundel Medical Center and received several stitches, police said.