Trial set for Howard High death case

Students gather outside Howard High following the death of Amy Inita Joyner-Francis in April. (File/WHYY)

Students gather outside Howard High following the death of Amy Inita Joyner-Francis in April. (File/WHYY)

The trial date for three teenagers allegedly involved in the death of a Howard High School student in Wilmington has been set.

 

Amy Inita Joyner-Francis, 16, died after a brutal beating in the school’s bathroom following a brawl with three other students earlier this year.

Trinity Carr, Chakeira Wright and Zion Snow, all 16, were charged for their alleged involvement in the April assault, which prosecutors say was pre-meditated. Police said Carr punched Joyner-Francis in the head and kicked her dozens of times.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

Delaware’s medical examiner said a pre-existing heart condition exacerbated the attack.

Carr is charged with criminally negligent homicide, while Wright and Snow are charged with third-degree criminal conspiracy. Despite Carr’s felony charge, she will be tried in Family Court as a juvenile, which could lower her sentence from a possible eight years in prison to community service.

On Tuesday, attorneys involved in the case scheduled a trial for April 3. The defendants could have entered a guilty plea, but instead opted for a trial.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal