‘I Tried To Save Him!’ Teen Thug Says

Ed. Note: Just note how the 14 year old here is being charged with manslaughter, which means he caused the death of his victim. This should serve as a wakeup call that teens that perpetrate crime should be held just as serious as any crime, and not looked at in a lax manner. Like the incident where police arrested Shomrim members in just this type of an incident.

The teen accused of attacking a Columbia grad student claims he tried to stop him from running into traffic, where he was killed, a detective testified Thursday.

After ambushing and pummeling Minghui Yu, the 14-year-old thug “attempted to grab Mr. Yu to keep him from going into traffic,” NYPD Detective John Garvey said, recounting the teen’s statements. “Mr. Yu pushed him off and ran.”

The testimony in Family Court came as the teen was charged with manslaughter and ordered held in juvenile detention.

The boy’s mother, Tina Richburg, wept and pressed his face against hers as the judge offered a tissue and words of comfort.

“I want you to stay safe, and I will be thinking about you,” said Judge Jane Pearl, addressing the stunned teen. “I want you to take care of yourself.”

The teen’s name is being withheld because of his age.

His mother told the Daily News yesterday her son was no hardened thug, as he has been portrayed. She expressed sorrow for Yu’s parents, who are expected to arrive today from China.

“I send my condolences out, sincerely from the bottom of my heart, 100%,” said Tina Richburg.

Richburg said her son made a grave mistake, and “things just went out of control.”

She said she will mourn Yu and is praying that her son is shown some mercy.

“I know he had a promising future,” Richburg said of Yu. “But so does my son. He’s just a child.”

More articles regarding this incident:

* 14-Year-Old Is Charged in Death Near Columbia
* Views Differ on Boy Suspected in Columbia Student’s Death
* Suspect Tells Police He Tried to Stop Fatal Dash Into Traffic