Defendant in Rickman Stabbing Expected Back in Court Today

The 15-year-old who has been charged with open murder in the June 4 stabbing death of is expected back in court today as his preliminary exam continues.

The defendant, a Walled Lake Central High School student, June 17 in front of Family Court Judge Cheryl Matthews, who will decide whether the teen will be bound over for trial.

The defendant is facing "designated charges," which means that if convicted, the teen's sentencing – as an adult or juvenile – would be at the discretion of the judge. The teen is being charged with open murder and if convicted could face life in prison.

that they were at a party in a house on the 7300 block of Rafford when an argument between Rickman and the teen escalated into a brawl. Rickman escaped to the street when the teen chased him down and stabbed him once in the abdomen with a kitchen knife, police say. Police arrested the teen that night without incident.

On June 17, a video of the incident captured by a neighbor's surveillance camera was shown in open court.

Defense attorney Rowland Short said that day that he expects to call at least five more witnesses including every person who was at the party.

Matthews scheduled further testimony for today at 1:30 p.m. in Oakland County Circuit Court.

The defendant is being held without bail or bond at Children’s Village in Pontiac.

According to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, a jury trial will be set, and the judge will be granted discretion to charge the defendant as a minor or as an adult.