Second suspect arrested in slashing

MONTROSE — Police are keeping mum as to why a second youth was arrested in Tuesday's knifing incident at Montrose High.

The second suspect's parents, however, are speaking out. They say their 14-year-old son is not a conspirator, as investigators allege, and they're critical of the way they say police handled questioning the boy.

"It's like guilt by association. That's how it feels," the teen's mother said after a court hearing Friday afternoon.

"They were badgering us," his father said of police tactics.

He said the police were confrontational and "in-your-face" while trying to get his son to admit to having prior knowledge of the attack, which left 17-year-old Mallory Haulman with a severe injury to her throat, frightened student witnesses and a stunned community.

Mallory, the daughter of a Daily Press employee, was attacked from behind as she walked into Montrose High with her sister Tuesday. A teacher rushed to help, applying pressure to the wound, which Mallory's parents said helped save her life.

She underwent surgery and is recovering at home. Her parents said previously she hopes to return to class soon.

Police saw a 14-year-old boy near the scene of the attack and cornered him a few blocks from the school after he reportedly ran.

He's being detained, and, according to Police Chief Tom Chinn, charges of first-degree attempted murder have been recommended.

The boy does not attend Montrose High. He was supposed to be enrolling in an intervention program the day of the incident.

The second 14-year-old, a student at the school, was arrested Thursday night on a warrant. He's under suspicion of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, complicity to attempted first-degree murder and of being an accessory to attempted first-degree murder.

Police have not said why they're alleging the second youth was involved. Chinn said that though the incident itself was allegedly premeditated, it appears as though Mallory was chosen at random.

Neither boy has been formally charged yet.

The second suspect remains in custody at Grand Mesa Youth Services after a detention hearing Friday.

District Attorney Myrl Serra opposed releasing the boy to his parents, or placing him at the Brown Center in Montrose.

"It's clear (child) is a danger to the community," he said, adding that the boy had a previous case involving an incident at a middle school. That case was dismissed.

"Dismissed or not, it shows a pattern of behavior ... that can be used in subsequent proceedings," Serra said.

He later said the case was dismissed because of proof problems, "not because it didn't happen."

The DA said that when police arrived with the warrant Thursday, the child's parents didn't even know where he was — something the parents later disputed.

"I don't think his parents have enough control in the home" to ensure public safety, Serra said.

The suspect's mother said she had known where he was Thursday. She also said he voluntarily sat through a lengthy interview with police. When asked for a second interview, the family said they wanted a lawyer.

"He was arrested because we refused to go back in until we had a lawyer," she said. "We want him home."

His father said he could tell when the boy was lying and in this case, he was not.

"I don't even know why I'm here," the teen said via telephone.

After court, the couple elaborated on their concerns. They said their son had grown up with the suspect, but hadn't been in touch with him for several months. He encountered the first suspect after the slashing, they said, and was asked to ditch class.

That's when the other boy boasted about "stabbing a girl," they said, and their son thought he was kidding, until he saw the knife.

"The cops showed up and that kid started running," the woman said.

Their son stayed put, then returned to class. He became nervous when he heard other students talking about what should happen to accomplices, but, his parents said, he had done nothing more than talk to a friend.

They said police kept trying to get their son to admit he'd provided the knife, and became indignant when he wouldn't.

"I was really getting faith in this police department," the father said. "I'm embarrassed for them at this point."

But during court, Judge Jeff Herron found probable cause to support the allegations. He said there was a "presumption of danger" and ordered the youth held without bond.

"How am I a threat to anyone right now?" the teen asked after Herron finished. He was told to address his concerns to his attorney.

Charges were to be filed within 72 hours (three business days), but Serra asked for more time so he could better determine whether to prosecute the suspect as an adult.

"It's a decision no one takes lightly," he said.

Charges are to be filed on or before Nov. 21, when the boy will next appear in court.

His mother was visibly shaken at the prospect of adult charges.

"He's 14 years old and now they want to try him as an adult. What happened to that little girl was horrible," she said, but her son wasn't responsible.