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CNN Sunday Morning

Teenage Girl Dead After Neighborhood Feud

Aired May 26, 2002 - 08:18   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, after what some called a neighborhood feud a teenage girl is now dead and police are saying at least two of those responsible for the death are 12 and 14 years old.

Melinda Spaulding from CNN affiliate WGNO has more from New Orleans.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MOTHER OF STABBING VICTIM: They stabbed my child and she is dead -- she is dead. They killed my child.

MELINDA SPAULDING, WGNO CORRESPONDENT: A mother screams in pain over the murder of her daughter just a few feet away from where the 16 year old's body was found face down in blood. The NOPD says Vinicia Smith was stabbed with this steak knife during a fight police say seven to 10 kids attacked.

Now two young girls are facing second degree murder charges.

SGT. PAUL ACCARDO, NEW ORLEANS POLICE: A 12 year old girl was pointed out by witnesses as being one of the suspects involved in the stabbing. She was then apprehended by members of the Fifth District.

Shortly thereafter a second female, a 14 year old, walked up to the officers and turned herself in.

SPAULDING: Vinicia Smith was a junior at Frederick Douglas High School and just started a new job at Mulate's Restaurant.

Neighbors here on Marray Street (ph) say that the feud between the girls had been going on for almost a year.

Family members say the two girls in custody are cousins. They live in this house on Marray Street (ph) about six houses down from Vinicia Smith.

Neighbors say the whole family's been a nuance since they moved in.

DONNA LEWIS, NEIGHBOR: They just fought with everybody. And I think in this neighborhood that they took an innocent child's life and this girl was well-like in this neighborhood and she's going to be well-missed. And they shouldn't have done what they've done. I think all of them over there should go to jail.

SPAULDING: The adults who live at 3139 Marray (ph) say the two girls didn't start the fight. They'd only give their comments about the stabbing and the victim behind closed doors.

UNKNOWN FEMALE: She got what she deserved -- death. She got what she deserved.

SPAULDING: No remorse and no comfort for Vinicia Smith's mother -- overcome with grief.

MOTHER OF STABBING VICTIM: They killed my child -- yes, they did. They killed my child.

SPAULDING: In the Ninth Ward, Melinda Spaulding, ABC-26 News.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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