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Teens plead not guilty to second degree murder
Updated 01/03/2013 05:33 PM
By: Maria Valvanis

Two Amsterdam teens were arraigned in connection to the deaths of two of their classmates. Maria Valvanis has more on 16-year-old Anthony Brasmiester and 15-year-old Matthew Phelps' day in court.

AMSTERDAM, N.Y. -- "I prayed last night and I prayed this morning and I asked for the strength," said Kathleen Damphier, Paul’s aunt.

Anthony Brasmiester, 16, was the first to face the families of the two teens he's accused of killing. Followed by his co-defendant Matthew Phelps, 15, both pleaded not guilty to two charges of murder in the second degree and two charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

“Hardest part is their family got to go see them and well never get to see our family again, said Charles Tiano, Jonathan’s grandfather.

Charles Tiano carried pictures of his 13-year-old grandson, Jonathan DeJesus, with him into the court room, while family members of Paul Damphier, 16, wore his picture on their shirts. The two friends were found shot to death in a field behind the Phelps home in the Town of Florida last July.

"The Phelps and the Brasmiestiers, I would think they would be starting a little closure if they would come up and apologize to us," Kathleen Damphier said.

A tentative trial date for the two teens has been set for June 17th.

Tiano said, “We want justice. We don't want to ever see them get out.”




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