ROCK HILL, S.C. - A teen murder defendant told police he stabbed his 12-year-old cousin to death after two adult friends pressured him to do so, according to a statement read in family court.
The statement about the December 2004 killing of Jessica Mora, of Lancaster, was read during a hearing Thursday, which was held to determine whether the 15-year-old will be tried as an adult. A judge will rule on the decision in several days.
Prosecutors have asked that the boy, who was 14 at the time of the killing, stand trial as an adult. If convicted, he could face life in prison. If convicted as a juvenile, he could be imprisoned until age 21.
The boy admitted he stabbed the girl to death while on cocaine, according to testimony from a Department of Juvenile Justice psychologist. He was arrested along with Mario Torres, then 18, and Alfonso Sanchez Caballero, then 20. All three admitted they were present when Jessica was killed, and all were charged with murder.
The teen told police Mr. Caballero told him to kill Jessica because she had called him a drug user. Mr. Torres wanted her dead because he feared she was pregnant with his child. The boy said he was angry with her because he thought she was trying to make his girlfriend break up with him.
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