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One of three teens accused of the 2019 knife death of a New York student in a park pleaded guilty on Tuesday to all charges against him.
The 16-year-old has pleaded guilty to second degree murder and first and second degree theft in connection with the death of Tessa Majors, his lawyer, Alex Padilla, told Fox News.
“We are aware of the proceedings today regarding the second guilty plea,” the Majors family said in a statement. “We remain committed to believing that all parties who bear responsibility for Tess’ senseless death will be held accountable, and we are deeply grateful to the many who continue to pursue this goal.”
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The 15-year-old accused of stabbing Barnard student Tessa Majors to death during an assault in a park was caught in the act of wiretapping, confessing his imprisoned father, said sources.
“In particular, we would like to thank the members of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the New York City Police Department for their tireless and painstaking efforts,” the family added. “We have remained confident in their work from the start and appreciate their diligence and compassion they have shown us.”
Padilla declined to comment on the case, but disputed other reports that his client was cooperating with prosecutors against his co-accused, who is also 16. He denied that this was the case.
Fox News contacted the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, who declined to comment.
Another suspect, who was 13 at the time of the stabbing, pleaded guilty last year to first-degree theft and was sentenced to 18 months in detention.
Outside the courtroom on Tuesday, the lawyer for the still-charged teenager, Jeffrey Lichtman, said: “It was not a premeditated murder as we heard inside. ‘were 14 and 13 year old boys, and we have to remember that, “WABC-TV reported.
Prosecutors allege the three teens were looking for people to steal when they attempted to assault Majors, an 18-year-old Barnard College freshman, in nearby Morningside Park on December 11, 2019.
People stop and place a candle in a makeshift memorial for Tessa Majors inside the Barnard campus.
(PA)
The younger suspect had previously told a court that he and two accomplices entered the park with the intention of stealing. After choosing not to steal from the first person they met, the teenager told detectives his friend “dropped a knife” while putting Majors in a choke. The suspicious teen picked up the knife and returned it to his friend before slitting his throat, then saw his friend stab Majors.
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The Charlottesville, Va. Native was found dead near a staircase in the park with multiple stab wounds. She had climbed a staircase to street level and collapsed.
The death shook the community surrounding the College for Women, located near Columbia University and Harlem, rocked and rekindled the fears of many New Yorkers about days when an overnight walk in the park was considered dangerous.
The 16-year-old suspect who pleaded guilty faces life imprisonment. He is due to return to court on October 18.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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