Lawyer: Fatal Rittenhouse Square Stabbing Suspect Acted In Self-Defense After Victim Pinned Him To Ground
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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The family of a young man charged in a deadly stabbing in Rittenhouse Square is patiently waiting his release as CBS3 has learned 21-year-old Michael White could be released from a facility in Northeast Philadelphia on Thursday night. This comes as White's lawyer described what happened that night during an interview on a local radio station.
On Wednesday, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner reduced a first-degree murder charge against Michael White to third-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter and had his bail set at $150,000. White is accused of fatally stabbing Sean Schellenger on July 12.
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White's supporters has gathered the $15,000 he needs to post bond as he currently sits at the Curran Fromhold Correctional Facility since turning himself into police.
"His bail has been paid in full and we're now waiting for the process to move forward with the ankle bracelet and once that is done, we will be meeting him at the courthouse to take him to his home," said family spokesperson Greg Thompson.
Police say Schellenger was riding with two others in a Mercedes-Benz when a confrontation ensued with White near 17th and Chancellor Streets. Investigators say White, who was delivering food on his bicycle, got into an argument with Schellenger over a traffic issue. A struggle took place and police say White stabbed Schellenger once in the back.
In an interview with WURD Radio, White's attorney, Daniel Stevenson, said his client was acting in self-defense.
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"The initial confrontation was initiated by Sean Schellenger by physically trying to bring Michael White to the ground," said Stevenson.
Stevenson says White happened to be in the area when he witnessed Schellenger and other men argue with another driver for blocking the road.
"Michael was sitting on his bicycle. He wasn't involved at all. He didn't know these people existed until he ran across them," explained Stevenson.
Stevenson says White and Schellenger then began to argue.
"Michael got off his bicycle, he backed up and he produced his knife and stood his ground and basically said to Mr. Schellenger, come no further," said Stevenson.
However, White's public defender said Schellenger still moved forward.
"Mr. Schellenger doesn't back off. He puts down his head and charges. Now it is at this moment, when Michael is standing there, knife in hand, Mr. Schellenger makes contact with him, and pins him to the ground and that's when Michael White stabbed him," said Schellenger.
Once released, White will be placed on house arrest.
