Corporation Counsel James E. Johnson Announces Conclusion of Family Court Proceedings in Tessa Majors Case
June 15, 2020
Juvenile Involved in the Murder Sentenced to 18 Months in Administration for Children’s Services Facility
New York City Corporation Counsel James E. Johnson today announced the conclusion of the Family Court case involving the 13-year-old involved in the robbery and tragic murder of 18-year-old Barnard freshman, Tessa Majors, on December 11, 2019. Following the juvenile’s June 3rd plea to Robbery in the First degree, where he admitted his involvement in the robbery that resulted in the murder of Tessa Majors, Judge Carol Goldstein today entered a disposition and placed him in the custody of the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) for a period of 18 months. He will serve a minimum of six months in a limited secure facility, after which ACS has the discretion to release the juvenile and monitor his progress in the community. His placement may be extended until his 18th birthday.
Corporation Counsel James E. Johnson said, “Ms. Majors was a bright, promising, and talented young woman who had just begun to explore life as a college student in New York City when she was tragically and senselessly murdered. While we have brought this portion of this horrific case to a close, we know that the pain of this loss will endure. As a legal matter, the resolution of the case against this juvenile is appropriate. Outside of the courtroom, we know that no resolution can diminish the loss and grief suffered by the Majors family. There are remaining defendants being prosecuted by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, which provided us with tremendous assistance with this case.”
The juvenile admitted to a designated felony, one of the most serious offenses handled in Family Court. His placement will provide him with the services he needs to enable him to fully accept responsibility for his actions, as well as provide protection to the community in which he lives.
The day after Tessa’s murder, police arrested the juvenile after he confessed to his involvement in the robbery and murder. Given his age, the case was prosecuted by the New York City Law Department within the New York City Family Court’s juvenile justice system. After several weeks of hearings regarding the admissibility of the confession, at which multiple witnesses testified, Judge Carol Goldstein upheld the arrest and determined that the confession would be admissible at a trial because it was made voluntarily and in accordance with all laws and procedures governing the questioning of juveniles by law enforcement.
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