A center faculty cheerleader in Tennessee was stabbed to demise by a 15-year-old boy — and now prosecutors are aiming to attempt him as an grownup.
Savannah Copeland, a 13-year-old cheerleader at Powell United Methodist Church, was discovered lifeless by her father on a mountain climbing path close to their household residence in Knox County, Tenn, on Oct. 22, in keeping with a press release from the Knox County Sheriff’s Workplace.
Her alleged killer introduced Savannah to the favored strolling path in Powell, Tenn., simply after midnight, in keeping with Knox County authorities.
On the path, the boy allegedly stabbed Savannah a number of occasions with a pocketknife, in keeping with the sheriff’s workplace.
It’s not clear how the 2 youngsters knew one another.
The teenager suspect was arrested later that day and has been charged with second-degree homicide, in keeping with the sheriff’s workplace.
Prosecutors introduced at a listening to this week that they plan to attempt him as an grownup, in keeping with 6 Information.
Michael Copeland, the sufferer’s father, tracked her the evening of the homicide utilizing her cellular phone and located her lifeless physique within the woods, per 8 WVLT.
“I believe it was an absence of compassion and an absence of empathy that drove the hand that took my daughter’s life,” Copeland advised 8 WVLT.
Copeland stated that the outpouring of help his household has obtained from their group helped “restore my religion in God,” in keeping with that outlet.
Savannah was an lively child — concerned in cheerleading, karate, gymnastics and artwork, in keeping with an obituary.
The younger woman, whose “stunning smile lit up a room,” needed to attend the College of Tennessee and examine forensic anthropology, in keeping with that obituary.
Savannah is survived by one brother, one other twin brother, and her two loving dad and mom.
Her alleged killer is due again in courtroom on January 14.
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