Third suspect in custody in killing of Barnard College freshman

The last of three teen suspects has been arrested and jailed in December's fatal stabbing of freshman Tessa Majors during a robbery near her Barnard College campus. 

Luchiano Lewis, 14, appeared Wednesday afternoon in a Manhattan courtroom to face charges including robbery and second-degree murder. The murder charge stems from the death of a person during the commission of certain crimes.

Judge Gayle Roberts, who presided over the teenager's arraignment, ordered Lewis, like his co-defendants, jailed pending trial. 

Both Lewis and co-defendant Rashaun Weaver, 14, who was arrested Friday night and is accused of being the stabber in the Dec. 11 robbery, pleaded not guilty Wednesday afternoon after the court clerk announced each had been indicted. Weaver sat next to Lewis in court. The two, who were handcuffed, are charged as adults. The defendant's mothers and one of their fathers stood at the rail at the start of the teens’ arraignment.

Weaver faces between 9 years and life in prison; Lewis faces between 5 years and life, the prosecutor said in court.

Majors' father, Inman Majors, also attended the arraignment. Neither he nor the defendants' families said anything to shouting reporters afterward outside court.

Tessa Majors, 18, was stabbed as she walked through Morningside Park the night of Dec. 11 and tried to fight off her attackers, the NYPD has said. She died of multiple stab wounds, including one to the heart.

At court Wednesday, Weaver wore a blue collared, button-down shirt, which was partially untucked from his khaki pants. Lewis wore a camouflage coat and gray pants. 

Evidence included four dozen witnesses and more than 100 exhibits, all spanning over 1,100 pages of grand jury papers, said prosecutor Matthew Bogdanos. 

“Luchiano Lewis prevented her from escaping by putting her in some sort of headlock or bear hug,” Bogdanos said, adding: “Luchiano Lewis is one of the individuals who prevented her escape.” 

Majors' headphones and hairband were found nearby, the prosecutor said.

The two teenagers join a third defendant charged with the college student's killing. In December, a 13-year-old boy was charged with felony murder as a juvenile, and his case is currently proceeding through Family Court in the pretrial stage.

Weaver's DNA was found under Major's fingernails, and the three were seen on surveillance video at the crime scene and fleeing, in distinctive clothes, the prosecutor said.

In a written statement Wednesday, District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said: 

“While a criminal process will never fully heal the unimaginable pain suffered by Tessa Majors’ family and friends, this indictment is a significant step forward on the path to justice."

“We are committed to holding these young people accountable, and equally committed to a fair process which safeguards their rights,” Vance's statement read. “This is how we will achieve true justice for Tessa and her loved ones.”

In a separate written statement, Sam McCann of Neighborhood Defender Service, whose lawyers represent the teens, said: "We urge all involved to not rush to judgment in the aftermath. Our client is a 14 year old child with no criminal record or family court history. He should not be charged as an adult."

With Anthony M. DeStefano

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.