Pettiford
WHITE PLAINS – A Yonkers teen has been indicted on charges of murder
and manslaughter in connection with the stabbing death of another teen
in the lobby of a movie theater in April. The killing stemmed from the
theft of the victim’s cell phone.
Michael Pettiford, 16, has also been charged with two counts of robbery
and criminal possession of a weapon in the death of Daij Thomas, who was
19 at the time he was killed early in the morning of April 15.
It is alleged that Pettiford approached Thomas, who was seated in the
lobby of the Showcase Cinema de Lux Ridge Hill began to question him and
challenged him to a fight.
The victim declined and that is when Pettiford grabbed Thomas’ cell
phone from his hand. The victim chased Pettiford in an attempt to get
his phone back. A struggle ensued during which time Thomas was stabbed
once in the chest.
Two knives were recovered from the scene and on April 18, Yonkers Police
located and arrested Pettiford in an apartment where evidence was collected.
If convicted, Pettiford faces 25 years to live in prison.
