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Connecticut Stabbing Suspect to Be Tried as Adult

by Nuzha Nuseibeh

On Friday morning, Maren Sanchez was stabbed to death by a classmate at Jonathan Law High School in Milford, Connecticut. Early Saturday, the alleged stabber was identified by friends as 16-year-old Chris Plaskon, who is currently being held in a medical facility's psychiatric ward, under evaluation. It's possible he'll stay there for another two weeks — after which the teen will likely be charged for murder as an adult.

The brutal attack, which occurred at roughly 7:15 Friday morning, reportedly took place after Sanchez turned down Plaskon's prom invitation. She was choked and then stabbed several times in the face and chest with a kitchen knife, though she tried to fight back, at one point biting the boy. Though she was rushed to hospital, she eventually succumbed to her extensive wounds.

In spite of the numerous reports, though, police haven't yet confirmed the motive for the killing. "It's all being investigated," Officer Jeffrey Nielsen, a spokesman for Milford police, said Saturday. "We don't work off speculation. We work on facts."

According to attorney Richard Meehan, the suspect won't be going to his arraignment, scheduled for Monday in New Haven. Instead, he'll likely stay at the hospital in which he's being held for psychiatric evaluation, and he'll probably remain there for at least two weeks. When he comes out, there's a big chance that the authorities will try the 16-year-old as an adult, a move which is legal in Connecticut.

Late Friday, Sanchez' cousin said Maren was "a bright light full of hopes and dreams with her future at her fingertips." Over the weekend, there has been a strong outpouring on Twitter in response to the attack, with the hashtag #RipMaren being used to condole the victim.