Judge orders teen accused of stabbing 16-year-old Kayla Green to death in Mount Vernon to remain in custody
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. -- A Westchester County judge on Monday ordered the 15-year-old girl suspected in the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Kayla Green in Mount Vernon to remain in custody.
Members of the community gathered at city hall to mourn and heal. A rally in Green's memory was held just hours after her family attended the suspect's arraignment, CBS2's Tony Aiello reported.
"Nobody deserves to die. Let our young people live up to their fullest potential," City Councilman Derrick Thompson said.
People gathered to remember a special girl who had so much to look forward to.
Now her mother, Lavern Gordon, faces the ultimate agony of losing a child, who people say was full of joy and ready to conquer the world, CBS2's Dick Brennan reported.
Gordon got a hug after a difficult afternoon in court. She faced the girl accused of killing her daughter.
"Kayla was a beautiful big sister and a special young woman with dreams and ambitions of becoming a doctor one day. She was a cheerleader, a captain, an inspiration," said Shannae Haywood, a spokesperson for the family.
"Kayla had plans. She wanted to go to Morgan State University. She wasn't a kid who hung out on the street. She was a good kid," coach Mikeya Knox said.
CBS2 was the only news team outside court as the family shared their anger and pain.
The deadly stabbing happened Friday, minutes after Green participated in a celebration of Mount Vernon's state champion basketball team. As she left, a dispute unfolded a block away.
Prosecutors said the 15-year-old suspect came armed with a knife that she had shown off earlier on social media. There was a dispute as Kayla sat in a vehicle.
A Mount Vernon cop tried to intervene as the suspect allegedly stabbed Green in the back and side.
"We want to thank the police officer that risked his life to stop a mob of misguided, violent teens. We thank him and his partner for recognizing that Kayla needed life-saving treatment and their efforts to save her have not gone unnoticed," Haywood said.
The name of the defendant has not been released due to her age.
In court, the prosecutor said the defendant took steps to hide evidence, including the knife, as she fled the scene after the stabbing.
The 15-year-old was located in nearby Dobbs Ferry after the FBI assisted Mount Vernon police with technology to track her smartphone, prosecutors said.
The office of Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah indicated the manslaughter charge may be upgraded when a grand jury reviews the case.
Rumors about alleged motives spread on social media. The suspect's lawyer spoke exclusively with CBS2 after court.
"Everyone is jumping to conclusions. The things that are being said have nothing to do with what happened here," defense attorney Pamela Hayes said.
Monday afternoon, upset residents gathered for an anti-violence event at the local Boys & Girls Club.
Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard told Aiello the senseless death of a promising young girl is an opportunity for parents to reengage with their own children.
"Who are their friends, who are they speaking to on social media? What pages do they have, what platforms are they communicating on?" Patterson-Howard said. "You have to get in your kid's business."
Hayes called it a tragic incident and hinted the suspect was acting in self-defense. Prosecutors strongly rejected that, saying the suspect showed a senseless and violent nature.
The Green family said the suspect had a history of bullying Kayla.