FRASER (WWJ) – Murder charges have been dropped against three teenagers accused of stabbing another teen to death at a home in Fraser earlier this month, because authorities learned it was in self-defense.
Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido says a 16-year-old boy and two teenage girls are still facing home invasion and assault charges in the Sept. 13 attack that killed 14-year-old Trent Redstrom.
Two other teens were also injured when the charged teens allegedly burst into a home and attacked them around 4:30 p.m. in the home near Garfield and Klein Roads.
Lucido told WWJ the murder charges were dropped because evidence shows the stabbing was in self-defense. The prosecutor did not elaborate on what made it self-defense.
Authorities have still not released an exact motive in the case, but have said it stemmed from some sort of dispute over text messages, according to a report from The Detroit News.
The 16-year-old boy is still charged with home invasion and two counts of assault with intent to murder – punishable by up to live in prison. He is being held on $750,000 bond.
The two girls are also still being held on charges of assault and battery and home invasion, a 20-year felony.
The incident caused officials to place Fraser High School and Richards Middle School on lockdown while police investigated. After-school activities were canceled the night of the attack.
