SAN DIEGO — A trial in juvenile court got under way Monday morning for the second teen suspect accused of carrying out a hate crime in Lakeside.
The 15-year-old girl was allegedly involved in the attack of a teenage female back in April. She faces charges of Attempted Murder, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and hate crime allegations. Her boyfriend, a 16-year-old boy, pled not guilty to similar charges. CBS 8 has learned the San Diego County District Attorney's Office has filed a motion to transfer his case to adult court.
Sheriff's deputies said a group of people, including two teens, arrived at the victim’s apartment on Mapleview Street. The male suspect is accused of yelling the "N-word" at the victim as he stabbed her in the back.
Community activists held a rally before Monday morning’s hearing. The victim’s aunt, Nicole Streater, spoke to reporters.
“My niece, she has nightmares. Physically she’s dealing with a lot of pressure. She doesn’t want to be the eye of this," said Streater. "She’s a victim, she still doesn’t understand why this happened to her,”
Streater and community activists are calling for justice. They allege there was an adult involved in the incident that has not been charged.
“This was attempted murder. This was not a fight or a struggle. They tried to kill this young woman while screaming racial slurs at her. We want justice,” said Yusef Miller of the Racial Justice Coalition.
A spokesperson for the San Diego County District Attorney's Office released this statement to CBS 8:
The investigation of this incident is ongoing as to other potential responsible parties. We acknowledge the pain and trauma the victim and her family have suffered and continue to seek justice on their behalf in juvenile court. The law limits what we can discuss publicly as this case is currently in progress.
The trial is expected to last three days. A judge will issue a ruling in this case.
WATCH RELATED: East County residents, anti-hate organizations gather in Lakeside asking for change (April 2022)