READING, Pa. (AP) - A man has been convicted of third-degree murder in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old Pennsylvania youth.
Jurors also convicted 30-year-old Avery Valentin-Bair of aggravated assault Friday night in the September 2016 slaying of high school sophomore Christian Torres in Reading (REH’-ding) but acquitted him of first-degree murder.
Berks County prosecutors said the victim and others were wearing Halloween masks and riding bikes around, and a neighbor who thought they were trying to scare children confronted them. Prosecutors said the situation had calmed until the defendant revved up passions again.
People were interested in these podcasts
The defense said Valentin-Bair was being beaten by the youth and others and acted in self-defense. Valentin-Bair testified that he never intended to kill anyone but was scared for his own life when he grabbed the knife from his waistband.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.