Prosecutors say Ypsilanti High School student stabbed girl after learning she may be pregnant
An Ypsilanti High School student who Washtenaw County prosecutors say stabbed a female student at least 12 times on school property Tuesday after learning she may be pregnant was ordered held without bond at his arraignment today.
Cortae Diaz Kelly, 17, of Ypsilanti, is charged with two counts each of assault with intent to murder and carrying a weapon with unlawful intent, Sheriff Jerry Clayton said.
The 17-year-old victim, who suffered stab wounds to her head, back and hands, remains in intensive care at a hospital, where she is awaiting additional surgeries, Washtenaw County Assistant Prosecutor Arianne Slay said in court.
Cortae Kelly
Clayton said he did not know whether the victim is pregnant.
According to Slay, Kelly had an intimate relationship with the girl. After the girl told Kelly she may be pregnant, investigators say Kelly lured her to a dirt trail in a wooded area east of the school, roughly a half-hour after school let out. That's where investigators say he pulled out a knife at about 2:54 p.m. and started stabbing her. Slay said Kelly made statements referring to the pregnancy during the attack.
At one point, Slay said the victim "tried to stay still and act as if she was dead." Kelly jumped on the victim, Slay said, and tried to reach around and cut her throat. Deputies say the victim was found by someone walking on the trail who called 911. Kelly left the Packard Road property, deputies said, but was arrested at his home soon after.
After being read his Miranda rights, Kelly confessed, Slay said, telling investigators, "not only did he intend to kill the victim, he actually thought she was dead when he left."
Slay requested Kelly be held on $1 million bond.
Attorney David Goldstein, who is representing Kelly, objected to Slay's recitation of events, arguing it was beyond the scope of the hearing. Kelly has lived with his family his entire life and goes to school, Goldstein said. Kelly's record consists of possessing a BB gun as a juvenile, Goldstein said, calling the $1 million bond request "ridiculous."
Magistrate Thomas Truesdell denied bond, saying: "I am extremely concerned about the danger to the community."
More than 10 people attended the arraignment at the county jail, which was televised in the sheriff department's lobby. Several of the victim's family members declined to comment after the hearing.
Kelly is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 16 for a preliminary hearing.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
Stefanie Murray
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 3:33 a.m.
Due to the high volume of inappropriate comments posted here, this conversation thread has been closed.
rouzer
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 3:28 a.m.
Assuming your reporting is accurate ("After being read his Miranda rights, Kelly confessed, Slay said, telling investigators, "not only did he intend to kill the victim, he actually thought she was dead when he left."), I am wondering why you would remove comments that allude to his guilt??? Not only does it appear he is guilty of this horrendous attack, it appears premeditated: "investigators say Kelly lured her to a dirt trail in a wooded area east of the school." I hope the victim of this vicious attack recovers completely and is able to testify against this person.
beard
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 3:11 a.m.
How do you know?!?
ypsicat
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 3:19 a.m.
Sorry, I didn't answer your question. Because a reporter told me as much, after one of my comments was wrongfully censored.
ypsicat
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 3:13 a.m.
See what I mean? Gone, gone, gone.
Suzanne
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 2:36 a.m.
May I ask why my comment was removed all I sad was that this was sad that a young girl was stabbed and left for dead in a place where she should be safe, SCHOOL, and my prayers are with her and her family, what was wrong with that?
Jojo B
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 3:16 a.m.
Suzanne - I completely agree with you. AnnArbor.com is being ridiculous with this story and the comments.
Suzanne
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 2:48 a.m.
Is the only thing A2.com allowing on here is complaining about A2.com. Of course ppl are saying he is guilty, YOUR story said he was, if you dont want ppl to assume it then dont print it! I guess the 1st amendment only applies to A2.com
Jojo B
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 2:28 a.m.
INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY... Aren't we misinterpreting what this should mean? By my understanding, this simply means that the legal system has the burden of proving guilt in a court of law. It does not mean that we as normal citizens don't have the right to think for ourselves and make up our own minds on guilt (even if we are guided by limited information). If somebody I know punches me in the face, I'm going to know who it is and believe that he is guilty several years before a judge and jury makes any official ruling. We as thinking people are allowed to have opinions, ideas and talk about them. AnnArbor.com-- I know you're trying to be sensitive here, but just turn off the comments for this story. Or don't bother posting these stories at all. Because we can't really be sure at all or talk about what we think might have happened. Only the prosecution can talk about guilt apparently!
ezbngreen
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 2:35 a.m.
Well said!
treetowncartel
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 2:13 a.m.
I sure hope the right to lifers are all over this like white on rice.
redblue
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 2:12 a.m.
I really think the Ann Arbor news is going overboard with the censorship. That being said, IF this person is guilty of this crime I don't think the bond is unreasonable.
Rich Rezler
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 1:47 a.m.
To re-state the commenting guideline that relates to the majority of the comments removed from this thread: We do not allow anyone to presume a person's guilt in stories involving crimes or tragic incidents. Others have been removed because they contain personal attacks.
CommonThought
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 2:27 a.m.
"After being read his Miranda rights, Kelly confessed, Slay said, telling investigators, "not only did he intend to kill the victim, he actually thought she was dead when he left."" To place that statement in the story, and then tell people to not presume a persons guilt is just so silly. If this guy is guilty he will get whatever the legal system says is just. If this guy is innocent, then a big oops to A2.com for writing a "your guilty" story.
ezbngreen
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 2:20 a.m.
Did you read the statement of the accused from your own article?
whatsupwithMI
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 1:38 a.m.
Just close the thread then, on this blog.
panther jeenz
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 1:20 a.m.
A2 News: who is this forum for? By deleting 90% of reader comments, you're really defeating the whole purpose. It's one thing to moderate, but you guys have really gone overboard.
Arieswoman
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 11:50 p.m.
In our country everyone is assumed innocent until proven guilty. Stories like this are hard to comment on as they get deleted as quickly as posted! Having said that, I hope if found guilty that this guy is put away for a long time! I hope for and pray for the victim's complete recovery. Emotional scars will remain for the rest of her life.
SarahJane
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 11:50 p.m.
Just wondering..................is his status at Ypsilanti HIgh School still a suspension until the hearing or has he been expelled?
CountyKate
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 2:53 a.m.
There will have to be an expulsion hearing, but I think it's a given that he will be.
Cash
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 11:52 p.m.
'Magistrate Thomas Truesdell denied bond, saying: "I am extremely concerned about the danger to the community." ' He is in jail.
Cash
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 11:46 p.m.
My prayers for the young lady to survive and heal. Surviving this, young lady, you have a second chance. Make the most of it. There are lots of good people on this earth. Stick with the winners.
Cash
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 12:42 a.m.
Susan, This young lady, praying she survives, has a chance to L-I-V-E. After what happened that alone is amazing. So consider it a gift and a second chance to life. Be joyous that you live and are a survivor. Don't look back.....look forward always.Most importantly, do not think you deserved this. Those were things i was told as a young lady. And they helped me. Look forward. Take the second chance and run with it! Don't let people judge you. And don't judge others. If you need an explanation beyond that, let me know.
Cash
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 12:31 a.m.
I mean she has a second chance to live her life. And be happy. And not look back. Geez Louise!
a2susan
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 12:07 a.m.
What do you mean she has a second chance? To live? To not get pregnant when she's in high school? To not make a "mistake?" Make the most of it - sounds pretty judgmental to me. Was she supposed to somehow know that this young man would react to her news the way he did?
ezbngreen
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 11:40 p.m.
The next headline will read "Inmate involved in stabbing sent for Competency Hearing." Watch and see can't wait to see how they try to snow everyone over.... And TIGERS68 you are right on mark about this sham of a news agency.
breadman
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 11:34 p.m.
So sad for the young lady that now has scars on her body for the rest of her life. One thing smart she did was play dead to get him off her back. Thank you for the person that went for a walk and found the young lady. God bless in the recovery!!!!!
Cash
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 11:47 p.m.
That's a great point. Thank God they came along there when they did.
ezbngreen
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 11:30 p.m.
"Our commenting community is a lively forum for local debate. We allow respectful, constructive comments. No attacks, please." With guidelines like these how do you expect anyone to comment on this story with this said. Todays winner for most despicable human being is....
Kelly Davenport
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 11:23 p.m.
I'd like to remind everyone that our conversation guidelines do not allow anyone to presume a person's guilt in stories involving crimes or tragic incidents. You're welcome to read more about our guidelines here: <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/about/comment-moderation-guidelines-meant-to-cultivate-community-forum/">http://www.annarbor.com/about/comment-moderation-guidelines-meant-to-cultivate-community-forum/</a>
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 3:25 a.m.
To add to my point O.J. Simpson was found not guilty. He may or may not be innocent.
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 3:23 a.m.
Cash@ "A trial determines guilt or innocence" actually a trial determines guilty or not guilty which isn't the same as innocent.
Cash
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 11:54 p.m.
A trial determines guilt or innocence, not a prosecutors statement. That's the way the legal system works.
81COM
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 11:37 p.m.
What do think people will think from reading this story? He's innocent? You didn't really think you would get good comments from a story like this did you?
ezbngreen
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 11:31 p.m.
After being read his Miranda rights, Kelly confessed, Slay said, telling investigators, "not only did he intend to kill the victim, he actually thought she was dead when he left."