Cops: Mother drove teen from murder scene
Boy, 15, to be tried as adult
A 15-year-old boy was pulled off the man he is accused of stabbing to death in Roxbury by his own mother, who then left the scene with the teen before they were both tracked down the next day in Dorchester, authorities said.
McKinley Archie of Dorchester was arraigned on a murder charge yesterday in Roxbury District Court in connection with the stabbing death of 18-year-old Anthony Woodbridge. Authorities say Archie stabbed Woodbridge in the chest Thursday and only stopped once his mother, Deborah Archie, pulled him off.
“Witnesses described a black female, identified by some as the suspect’s mother, intervened and pull the suspect away from the victim,” police wrote in an incident report. “The suspect and the black female were then observed to leave the scene in a dark colored Nissan Altima.”
Authorities immediately went searching for the Altima and found out Deborah Archie had rented it, according to the report. Detectives tracked down the vehicle in Dorchester yesterday and found Deborah Archie and McKinley Archie with Donald French — Deborah’s ex-husband — driving.
Suffolk prosecutor Craig Iannini said Deborah Archie “recounted some of the facts that are in the report.”
Prosecutors didn’t charge Deborah Archie with any crime and do not expect to.
“Based on the evidence gathered so far, which includes an apparent attempt to interrupt the assault and a subsequent statement to Boston police, we do not at this time expect charges against her,” Suffolk District Attorney spokesman Jake Wark said.
Witnesses helped lead police to McKinley Archie’s arrest, according to Iannini. Members of the community provided the Altima’s license plate number and helped identify McKinley Archie from a photo array, authorities said.
“Their aid and information was instrumental in making a quick apprehension in this case,” police Commissioner William B. Evans said in a statement. “My detectives worked diligently on investigating the incident, and I hope that the swift resolution and arrest can bring at least a small amount of solace to the victim’s family.”
Judge David Poole ordered McKinley Archie, who is being tried as an adult, held without bail after a brief hearing yesterday. He allowed the teen to hide behind a door — out of public view — where he listened to the charges levied against him.
His court-appointed attorney, Jason Benzaken, said he didn’t think it was right that his client was being tried as an adult.
“He’s just a kid,” Benzaken said. “Of course I don’t want him tried as an adult.”
Two men who showed up to support the Archie family stood outside court in the rain and spoke about the teen.
“He likes to ride his bike and skateboard and play basketball,” said one man, who declined to give his name because he said he feared retaliation.
“He’s a 15-year-old boy,” he said, “and he acts like a 15-yearold boy.”
McKinley Archie will be back in court Aug. 7 for a probable cause hearing.