Teen guilty on all counts in case of 2021 fatal stabbing of Lanphier student

A now 16-year-old girl being tried as an adult in the 2021 fatal stabbing of Lanphier High School senior Pierre V. Scott Jr. outside of the northside school was found guilty on all counts Wednesday.

Kamyjah A. Bias, at the time a student at Douglas-PREP, stared downward as Sangamon County Chief Circuit Judge Ryan Cadagin announced the conviction wrapping up the two-day bench trial.

Bias testified in her own defense earlier Wednesday.

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She was also charged with the attempted murder of Daquan R. Dunn, another Lanphier student, who was stabbed in the chest just after Scott was fatally stabbed on Nov. 17, 2021 as school was letting out.

Bias faces 27 to 90 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Cadagin set sentencing for April 19.

"We're just happy we made it to the day of justice being served for Pierre Scott and the other victim who was stabbed," said Cyhila Brookens, Scott's mother, standing next to Krishawna Acres, Dunn's mother. "The state's attorney's (office) did a really, really good job and we feel really blessed today.

"Even though my son is not here (anymore), I feel a little relieved."

The defense argued that Bias acted in self-defense and that Scott, Dunn and others intended to confront her after school. Bias attended a District 186 alternative school, but she was at Lanphier in the afternoons.

Bias testified that she didn't know either Scott or Dunn but admitted that her younger brother attended Washington Middle School with Scott's younger brother and the two "had a beef with each other."

Bias also testified to making a Snapchat video with her brother mocking an uncle of Scott's who had recently died, though said she didn't know the connection between Scott and his uncle.

The video was played as part of the trial.

In closing arguments, Kendra Hansel, the juvenile division/child protection division chief for the state's attorney's office, said the videos from Lanphier and First Student bus company played at the trial "were the best sources of evidence" and that the state had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Bias intended to kill or do great bodily harm to Scott.

"The first act of aggression is from the defendant," Hansel said. "(Scott's) hands never left his side until he was stabbed."

It was Bias, Hansel said, who "held the power," stepping into Scott's path, planting herself and stabbing him.

It took Dunn, who testified Tuesday, months to get back to where he was physically able, Hansel said.

Defense attorney Greg Sronce said there was "objective evidence" that Scott, Dunn and Jaquod Wallace were "confronting (Bias) and making serious threats to her" after school. Sronce said Bias "had no motive to be angry" with them.

"They came out after her," Sronce said. "They're woofing at her and got behind her and on her back, saying things like, 'Let's get this thing done right now.' They wanted to take it to the streets."

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Sronce said Dunn's flinching at Bias moments before the stabbings "was an act of aggression."

"(Bias) has no getaway plan," Sronce admitted. "She walks around town with a knife on her."

The defense also argued that Michael Washington, an in-house supervisor at Lanphier, said Scott was "ballistic" earlier that day.

In an audiotape played in court, Washington said Scott told him he wasn't going to detail what upset him because Washington would talk him out of what he wanted to do. Washington took that a serious nature.

First assistant state's attorney Derek Dion called Bias' testimony "flatly incredible and patently self-serving."

"He's a child, at school, and weighs 130 pounds soaking wet," Dion said, "but the defense makes him out to be Apollo Creed.

"What threat did Pierre Scott pose? He didn't have a weapon on him. The defendant was waiting for an opportunity."

State's Attorney Dan Wright said justice was served for the families of Scott and Dunn.

"The defendant's senseless acts endangered the safety of so many students, staff and other members of the Lanphier High School family," Wright said in a statement. "Students must be safe at school and those who commit acts of violence or threats of violence against our students and school employees will be held accountable."

In a statement, District 186 Superintendent Jennifer Gill said school personnel were filled with "a range of emotions as we remember the life of Pierre Scott, who was the victim of this senseless crime, the injury of another District 186 student and the verdict of a District 186 student. All of their lives have been changed because of this one moment in time.  Violence, threats and bodily harm (are) never a solution and will not be tolerated.

"As always, our staff is committed to creating safe spaces for our students and staff to process their thoughts and emotions."

In March, the board of education unanimously approved the installation of the metal detectors in its three high schools as well as at Douglas-PREP and Lawrence Education Center and district middle schools.

Delores Hill said after court she was happy for Brookens, her niece, because "she's been through it and she's still going through it. It's going to be a long time for her but at least she can have some closure."

In August, the families of Scott and Dunn filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Bias, District 186 and employees at Lanphier and Douglas-PREP.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Judge finds 16-year-old Springfield girl guilty of first-degree murder