A suspect in the stabbing death of 22-year-old Beau Youngs was held without bail today following his arraignment on a murder charge, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said today.

Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Hickman of Conley’s Homicide Unit told the court that KEVIN JAMES (D.O.B. 11/1/66) wielded the knife that left Youngs mortally wounded during a physical altercation late on the evening of April 30. Youngs was transported to Boston Medical Center, where he later died of a single stab wound to the heart. Neither Youngs nor James had a fixed address.

Witnesses observed the two men “wrestling” in the vicinity of 841 Boylston St. in Boston’s Back Bay shortly before midnight, Hickman said. When the defendant stepped back from that fight, he allegedly had a knife in his hand. He then fled the scene on foot.

Based on witness interviews and other investigative techniques, Boston Police homicide detectives identified James as a suspect and located him on May 8. In a statement to investigators, James allegedly denied involvement at first but later indicated that he had acted in self-defense.

“This was good work by investigators, but make no mistake – witness cooperation was crucial to making this arrest,” Conley said. “I hope Mr. Young’s loved ones can take some small comfort in that fact and the knowledge that his death will not go unanswered.”

James was represented today by attorney Michael Collora. Boston Municipal Court Judge Tracy-Lee Lyons ordered him to return to court on June 10.