QUEENS, N.Y. — A 16-year-old has been indicted by a Queens grand jury on murder and other charges in the stabbing death of 14-year-old Julian Corniell during a violent altercation at a McDonald’s in Sunnyside last month, District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Friday.

The defendant, who is from Queens, was arraigned on charges including second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, first- and second-degree assault, first- and second-degree gang assault, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He is being held without bail and is scheduled to return to court on April 30.

Key Points

A 16-year-old was indicted for the February 14 stabbing death of Julian Corniell, 14, at a McDonald’s in Queens.
Charges include second-degree murder, manslaughter, gang assault, and weapon possession.
The defendant is being held without bail and faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

District Attorney Katz called the case “tragic” due to the young ages of both the victim and the accused. “The attack on Julian Corniell was made even more tragic because it happened, as alleged, at the hands of a fellow teen,” Katz said. “A grand jury has now returned serious charges against the defendant and my office will seek justice.”

According to investigators, the incident occurred at approximately 3:25 p.m. on February 14 at the McDonald’s located at 38-02 Queens Boulevard. A dispute between two groups of teenagers escalated into a physical fight inside the fast-food restaurant.

During the altercation, the 16-year-old defendant allegedly stabbed Corniell in the left side of his torso. Corniell fled the restaurant, ran across Queens Boulevard, and collapsed in the street. He was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.

If convicted of the top charges, the defendant faces a sentence of up to 25 years to life in prison.

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