Teen To Stand Trial In Fatal St. Croix River Stabbing
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — We now know more about what happened before a local wrestling coach was stabbed to death last week.
Nineteen-year-old Levi Acre-Kendall appeared in court Wednesday, where the judge postponed his arraignment until early May.
Prosecutors say he stabbed 34-year-old coach Peter Kelly after a confrontation while fishing on the St. Croix River.
In court Wednesday, investigators gave a detailed account of what they think happened.
Acre-Kendall's attorney, Eric Nelson, said after court, "It's our position that Mr. Aker-Kendall acted in self defense."
One thing all parties agree on is that there was an argument. Kelly was on the Minnesota side of the river, Aker-Kendall on the Wisconsin when the groups started yelling back and forth.
Then the story splits.
Police say Kelly and a friend went across the river to confront the teens. The friend says, as he looked away, Kelly was stabbed, and he asked Acre-Kendall if he stabbed Kelly, and he said "yes," before leaving the scene.
Acre-Kendall's friends and attorney say Kelly wrestled him out of the car, and that's why he used the knife.
"He was accosted by these individuals, and the force he used was reasonable given the circumstances," Acre-Kendall's lawyer said.
Despite the two different accounts, one thing was clear enough: The judge says there is probable cause, and this case will move forward.
Acre-Kendall will be back in court May 4.
