Teen Charged In Deadly Bronx School Stabbing To Be Released On Bail
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A judge reduced the bail of a the teenager accused of fatally stabbing a classmate at a Bronx high school.
A judge reduced the bail to $250,000 for 18-year-old Abel Cedeno, who pleaded not guilty earlier this month to manslaughter, assault and criminal possession of a weapon charges.
Prosecutors say Cedeno fatally stabbed 15-year-old Matthew McCree and critically injured 16-year-old Ariane Laboy at the Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation on September 27.
Defense attorneys say Cedeno snapped after being bullied for years about his sexual orientation.
Police say McCree did not have any prior issues with Cedeno.
The stabbings took place in front of two teachers and a classroom of students.
The bail had originally been set at $500,000. In addition to the reduced bail, Cedeno will have to wear a tracking device and check in weekly with a bail bondsman.
Cedeno released a statement thanking "the many gay men who generously donated" to his bond fund.
"This nightmare has torn apart three families," Cedeno wrote in his statement.
"I promise you that your faith in me will never be betrayed," Cedeno wrote.
The prosecution argued against the bail reduction, saying Cedeno comes from a troubled family that often had no idea where he might be.
Cedeno has been in jail for two months. His movements will be monitored as he awaits trial.
