No charges filed in teen's stabbing death

MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- The state's attorney has ruled that an unidentified man who fatally stabbed one teen in Meriden and injured another was acting in self-defense.

"I am destroyed, I'm destroyed," said Valda Felton, mother. "I'm not going to say any more, excuse me."

Valda stood in the night air wiping tears from her eyes. The states attorney released the findings of her son's death, and witnesses say 15-year-old Deandra Felton and his 13-year-old friend were the attackers.

"No, it's not, my son is not like that at all," said Gary Felton.

"So when you hear they didn't press charges and witnesses say your son started it," said News 8's Bob Wilson.

"The witnesses didn't get everything," Gary said.

Seven different witnesses who were with Deandra that September night say he had been bragging how he smoked pot and liked to fight and hit people. The report states that Deandra was stabbed to death after he and his friend ran up on a stranger from behind.

"Putting a choke hold on the man, or they jumped the man and punched him, or they attacked the man, or they grabbed the person, picked him up and threw him on the ground," said witness accounts.

The man fought back, and pulled out a pocket knife stabbing both teens. Deandra was pronounced dead at Mid State Medical Center.

"Is he the type of guy who will come out rolling against someone looking for trouble," asked Wilson.

"No, not at all," said Thomas Halleran. "He was a great athlete. He was respectful and his parents raised him well."

"According to the Chief, states attorneys office Deandra was going out looking for trouble high," questioned Wilson.

"I don't think that is true because never in my life have I seen that child with any type of drugs, any nothing," said Melissa Copeland, "he has been respectful to me."