NEW YORK _ A 14-year-old boy jailed in connection with the stabbing death of Barnard College student Tessa Majors pleaded guilty to robbery Wednesday.
At a hearing held in Manhattan Family Court, the boy admitted to participating in the robbery that led to Majors' death and picking the murder weapon up off the ground shortly before it was used to kill her.
"Rashaun (Weaver) went over and said something to Tessa Majors on the stairs," he said of one of the two other teens arrested. "She started yelling for help. Rashaun used the knife I had handed to him to stab Tessa Majors."
The boy, who was 13 at the time of the encounter, said the trio followed Majors "up the stairs to the platform" to rob her. When she fought back and refused to hand over her property, she was stabbed, according to authorities.
The boy, whom the New York Daily News is not naming because of his age, appeared nervous _ pulling at his hair and scratching his arms as he entered his plea virtually from a juvenile facility. He was due to go to trial for the killing in March, but it was adjourned on account of the coronavirus pandemic.
Majors, of Charlottesville, Va., was jogging down a set of steps in Morningside Park shortly before 7 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2019, when she was confronted by the teens.
Prosecutors for the city Law Department, who is handling the case because the boy is a minor, asked Manhattan Family Court Judge Carol Goldstein to impose a minimum sentence of six months in a limited security facility and a maximum of 18 months.
He will likely be sentenced to time served at his June 15 disposition because he's already been in custody for six months.
"Although respondent acted in concert in committing robbery and murder on Ms. Majors, he was not the main actor," said Assistant Corporation Counsel Rachel Glantz.
A statement from the Legal Aid Society, who represents the boy, said he will likely feel the ramifications of his involvement for the rest of his life.
"Tessa Majors's death was tragic. It caused incalculable pain to her loved ones and affected our entire city. This plea to robbery in the first degree is consistent with our client's limited role in this tragic event. He did not touch Ms. Majors or take any of her property. Furthermore, no DNA evidence exists linking him to the events," the statement read.
"He will face its repercussions for a long time, likely the rest of his life. This plea clears a path for him and his family to move forward with their lives. His acceptance of responsibility is an important first step; it provides an opportunity for this now-14-year-old to achieve a successful future."
During an interrogation with detectives from Manhattan North's Homicide squad following his arrest, the 5-foot-5 suspect admitted to being present for the killing but said he played no role in it.
"He watched his friend grab the victim, put her in a chokehold and remove items from her pocket," Detective Vincent Signoretti said during a hearing in December.
"He made a slashing, stabbing motion toward the victim. He saw feathers come out of her jacket and then all three of them fled the park together."
The young woman reportedly tried to get help, but collapsed by a park security booth at the top of the stairs on W. 116th Street near Morningside Drive.
The two 14-year-olds arrested for Majors' killing, Weaver and Luciano Lewis, were charged as adults with second-degree murder in February. Weaver's DNA was discovered under Majors' fingernails, authorities said.
