Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that a 16-year-old was indicted by a grand jury and charged with murder in the second degree, manslaughter in the first degree, gang assault in the first degree and other crimes for the stabbing death of 14-year-old Julian Corniell during a melee at a McDonald’s in Sunnyside on February 14. The fight stemmed from a prior dispute between two groups of teens.

District Attorney Katz said: “Any homicide is heartbreaking for the family of the victim.  This death in particular is tragic because of the ages of all involved.  Teenagers as defendants and teenagers as victims sends a message that we need to do more.  The attack on Julian Corniell was made even more tragic because it happened, as alleged, at the hands of a fellow teen. A grand jury has now returned serious charges against the defendant and my office will seek justice.”

The 16-year-old defendant, of Queens, was arraigned yesterday on grand jury indictment charges of murder in the second degree, manslaughter in the first degree, assault in the first and second degrees, gang assault in the first and second degrees and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

Supreme Court Justice Bruna DiBiase remanded the defendant and ordered him to return to court April 30. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

According to the charges, on February 14, at approximately 3:25 p.m., teenagers who attend different high schools gathered at the McDonald’s restaurant at 38-02 Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside.

A fight began between two rival groups of teens. In the melee, the 16-year-old defendant is alleged to have stabbed 14-year-old Julian Corniell in the left side of his torso with a knife.

Julian fled the McDonald’s and crossed Queens Boulevard. He collapsed on the street and was taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Brewer, Homicide Assistant in the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, is prosecuting the case, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Jonathan Sennett, Bureau Chief, and Barry Frankenstein, Deputy Chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Gerard Brave and Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.