A 15-year-old girl pleaded guilty Tuesday to manslaughter in
the first degree for the stabbing of Kayla Green, of Mount Vernon.
Westchester District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah says the
accused teen has “been promised a sentence of 3-9 years in state prison. She is
due back in court on Jan. 24, 2023."
The 16-year-old high school cheerleader was stabbed to death
in Mount Vernon on April 8 after a parade celebrating the boys
basketball team state championship. According to police, Green got into an
argument with a
15-year-old cheerleader from a different team, who then
attacked her and her friend. Green died on her way to the hospital.
The defendant
was also charged in connection with the stabbing of another teenager, Mainece Simpson, at the
scene of the incident. Under New York law, at the time of the defendant’s plea,
those additional charges were dismissed due to the defendant’s age.
The
victims' families were upset earlier this year when a Westchester grand jury
failed to upgrade the charges against the suspect. They called for prosecutors
to charge the teen with murder and attempted murder.
An
attorney for the family of Mainece Simpson expressed her frustration with
today's decision.
"Everyone
is just not happy with the fact that you can kill someone and walk away with
three years," said Lauren Raysor.
“Today, the defendant has taken responsibility for ending the life of Kayla Green and now faces consequences for this tragic and devastating incident," Rocah said in
prepared remarks. "We hope the families of all impacted by this senseless violence can begin the journey to healing. My Office will continue to support them in any way that we can.”
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