Louisville boy who supplied knife in fatal stabbing sent to Nebraska youth reform site

CANTON ‑ A 16-year-old who took part in the fatal stabbing of Michael Morris Jr. at a Louisville park last year will be sent to Boys Town — a residential village for displaced young people and youth reform — in Nebraska.

Stark County Family Court Judge Michelle Cordova decided on Monday to send the youth to the residential community founded by Father Edward Flanagan. The defendant's placement will be reviewed periodically under terms of her disposition order. A disposition in juvenile court serves the same function as sentencing in adult court.

The case was resolved after the youth pleaded true, the equivalent of guilty in an adult court, to charges of felonious assault, aggravated criminal trespass and carrying a concealed weapon. A charge of complicity to murder was dismissed.

The teen supplied the knife that 17-year-old Marissa Smith used to stab Morris on Sept. 13 at Wildwood Park. Smith, of Louisville, is serving a prison sentence of 15 years to life for murder and felonious assault. A group of teens had gathered at the park to fight.

The incident involved a lot of "unfortunate, bad choices" said Tara Burns, the aunt of the victim, who lived in the Alliance area.

"Unfortunately, Michael had to lose his life for lessons to be learned," she said. "My hope, and I'm sure all of our hope, is that he learns from this and moves forward and he'll have a decent life ahead of him. Obviously, those were the things that we would have wanted for Michael."

Attorney: Boy involved in Wildwood Park stabbing is 'a nice kid'

Defense attorney Jeffrey Jakmides said his client had no behavioral issues during the more than 300 days he spent at two juvenile detention facilities.

"I've talked to staff members at both places," the Alliance lawyer said. "They said he's a nice kid. He's very respectful, serious kid. He doesn't shoot off his mouth."

Jakmides said an evaluation by a judge found treatment would help the teen.

"He is very sorry," Jakmides said.

He said the defendant would return to live with his grandmother and mother after being released from Boys Town.

Boy's family speaks after fatal confrontation

Although the defendant did not speak on his own behalf, the judge heard from his mother and grandmother.

His mother said the fatal stabbing was a tragedy, and that her son had been "a good kid otherwise."

His grandmother said the defendant had good grades in his honors classes, had responsibilities at home, held a job and was more than the terrible decision that brought him to court.

"As parents and grandparents, we begin planning for the future of our children before they're even born," his grandmother said. "We invest everything that we have into their lives with hope for their future, believing the best and doing our best to protect them. And we count on the community to support us with that, too."

Killer sentenced: 'Every single one of us died that day.' Teen gets 15 years to life for park stabbing

Turning to the victim's family, she said, "You just have our deepest sympathy. There are no words. No one could have ever imagined this tragedy and we all profoundly wish that we could change it."

She said her grandson's decision was "immature, impulsive and very foolish. He fully recognizes that. He totally accepts responsibility. I know that he's going to regret his part in this his entire life. We will be sad about this our entire lives."

She expressed the hope that the judge's decision would pave the way for her grandson "to rebuild his life and to have a future ... with purpose and opportunities to serve others."

Fatal stabbing: Marissa Smith murder trial: Louisville police recall scene at park, witness interviews

Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or nancy.molnar@cantonrep.com.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Louisville boy tied to Michael Morris Jr. stabbing sent to Boys Town