Posted: Feb 3, 2011 at 4:28 PM [Feb 3, 2011]
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.
