Teen arrested in fatal stabbing at New Cassel house party, police say

A Selden teenager was arrested Wednesday and charged in the fatal stabbing of a Uniondale teen outside a New Cassel house party that drew about 100 people earlier this month, police said.

Matthew Martinez, 16, of Highview Drive, was ordered held at his arraignment Thursday in First District Court in Hempstead on charges of second-degree murder and first-degree gang assault, court records show. His next appearance is Monday.

Authorities said the victim, Jordan Harris, 16, was stabbed in the early morning hours of July 5 near the corner of Costar Street and Roman Avenue. Martinez, "while aided by at least four to five others," stabbed Harris "multiple times about the torso and arms, intentionally causing his death," Nassau police said in court records.

People supporting the defendant and the victim attended the arraignment on Thursday. 

Prosecutor Martin Meaney said Martinez is alleged to be a member of the Crips street gang who had previous beefs with Harris. 

Martinez was represented by the Legal Aid Society, which did not comment. It was not clear who his attorney will be in the case.

Nassau police Det. Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick, commander of the Homicide Squad, said earlier this month that the stabbing was "not a random act. This was a targeted event.”

Harris came to the party with a group of friends, Fitzpatrick said at the time. When they arrived, partygoers in the home came outside and words were exchanged.

That led to a fistfight, he said, and shots were fired from a handgun. During the melee, Harris was stabbed, police said.

A second unidentified teen was also injured during the party.