The attorney for a Queens barber​ charged in the killing ​of ​a college student over a $50 debt ​drew the ire of his victim’s family when he argued that the case should be “manslaughter not murder.”
“It was murder, not manslaughter,” said ​victim ​Carl Richardson’s mother and father outside of ​Queens Supreme Court after the accused stabber, Cedric Simpson​,​ was arraigned Monday.
Simpson ​is charged with knifing Richardson with a pair of scissors during a ​fight inside Select Stylez Barbershop on March 27 about payment for headphones he was selling for extra cash. Simpson was studying to become an occupational therapist and volunteered with autistic children at P.S. 46.
“My client is indicted for murder, but it shouldn’t be murder. He didn’t flee, he told the police what happened and tried to help the victim,” said Simpson’s attorney, Mark Potashnyk during the ​hearing.
“It was his second attempt to collect the money from [Simpson] and he refused to give the headphones back or turn over the money,” said Richardson’s girlfriend, Sheneque Mardner, 18.
​Richardson’s parents Carl Sr. and Johann​,​ as well as Mardner​,​ cried in the courtroom​ when Potashnyk​ petitioned for the lesser charge.
Witnesses to the attack​,​ and Simpson​,​ allegedly testified to the grand jury that the stabbing was not intentional, but an accident.
“It’s hard for me to fathom that the grand jury wasn’t given the option of manslaughter, even their witnesses who testified, testified manslaughter,” said Potashnyk​,​ who added, “Getting an indictment is easy with a dead boy but there weren’t other options.”
Justice Kenneth Holder intends to analyze the grand jury minutes and will make a decision at the next court appearance on June 23.
“Based on the facts this isn’t a complicated matter,” the attorney said.
Richardson’s family established a foundation in his name to raise awareness about violence and resolving conflicts peacefully.