Delaware

Delaware Teen Facing Homicide Charge in Classmate's Death Could Face Trial as Adult

A 16-year-old girl charged with homicide in the death of her classmate after a beating at their Delaware high school last month moved one step closer on Tuesday to potentially facing trial as an adult.

At a case review hearing Tuesday morning, a Delaware court granted prosecutors' request for an amenability hearing to decide whether the teen's case will be moved to adult court. That hearing is scheduled for July 11.

The teen, whose identity NBC10 is withholding because she is charged as a juvenile, faces charges of criminally negligent homicide and conspiracy in connection with the death of Amy Joyner-Francis, also 16, after an April 21 fight among girls in a bathroom at Howard High School of Technology in Wilmington.

Two other teen girls face conspiracy charges in the case. Both waived hearings earlier this month and are scheduled to face trial in June.

Joyner-Francis died of complications related to a pre-existing heart condition after the morning bathroom brawl inside the high school, authorities said. The investigation into the fight lasted a few weeks before the state Department of Justice decided to recommend charges, ruling that despite having a pre-existing condition, Joyner-Francis would not have died if not for the fight.

The 16-year-old charged with homicide is accused of hitting Joyner-Francis during the fight.

Joyner-Francis was the first of two tragedies for the Wilmington high school: Brandon Wingo, 15, a freshman at Howard, was gunned down in an unrelated incident May 19 a few blocks from the school. Police have not announced any arrests or suspects in that shooting.

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