When her body was found a month later with 95 stab wounds and beneath leaves and snow at one end of the high school playing field, the family accused the police of showing little interest in finding Curtisha, let alone her killer, because Curtisha was black. The survival of local journalism depends on your support. My sister's not here, and she's not gonna be back," Patrina Morning said. /. A scholarship fund at Riverhead High School is being set up in John Dennis Anderson's name, to honor his memory. Miss Taylor was arrested late Monday afternoon and arraigned this morning in Suffolk County Criminal Court before Judge Arthur G. Pitts. The victim was a 17-year-old homecoming queen.. Ms. Parsons said she observed students exiting the side of the building without a security guard present while the lockdown was still in place, and asserted that it appeared that anyone could have entered the school at that point. Justice for the murder was not swift. Kalila Taylor was convicted for a second time last month of stabbing Morning in a fit of jealously in February 1996. The woman, Kalila Taylor, 35, was sentenced on Thursday in Suffolk County Court. Her daughter's chilling killing captivated a nation. The survival of local journalism depends on your support. She maintains it today," defense attorney John Loturco said. I called the emergency room, they came, and quickly started to provide first aid and resuscitation, but everything went so fast, I think he almost died here at home, the distraught father said. The $40 million land deal between Riverhead and Triple Five affiliate CAT: a look back, Riverhead ambulance will begin billing for all transports in the next 60-90 days to cover the rising costs of emergency rescue services, Ferry fare hike for Greenport to Shelter Island ferry set for public hearing Tuesday in Hauppauge, Tentative $229 billion budget deal fully funds foundation aid to schools, raises minimum wage and limits MTA payroll tax hike to NYC: Hochul, Riverhead cracks down on stray shopping carts: Town Board wrap-up, Town Board members claim they didnt see controversial EPCAL air cargo plans before they were publicly presented to Riverhead IDA, A fresh start: Riverhead hosts Saturday meeting, hoping to boost public participation in planning for the communitys future, Most parcels on towns list of sites eligible for cannabis uses under town code are already fully developed, analysis shows, Cops: Man driving stolen vehicle out of Nassau County arrested on Route 58 Sunday afternoon, Cops search for two masked men wanted in attempted armed robbery of West Main Street liquor store last night, Run, hide, fight Experts advice for surviving an active shooter situation, Learn about warehouse breeds at an informational meeting hosted by Calverton civic group this evening, Historic observatory at Riverhead High School reopens after repairs, Screening of Paper Clips documentary set for Sunday afternoon at Riverhead library for Holocaust Remembrance Day, Suffolk Theater to host active shooter response training seminar on Tuesday, Students and parents ask for increased school security after bullet incident, as administration assures safety, School board OKs $20 million spending increase for next school year, requiring 1% tax levy hike, Seven candidates running for four school board seats, as proposed $192.4 million budget is slated for board adoption Wednesday, Town Board must be more inclusive if downtown quality of life efforts are to be effective, The CAT plan for EPCAL does not deserve taxpayer financial support, When it comes to open government, New Yorks lofty ideals bear little relation to reality. ", Of reliving the agony of her daughter's murder in court, Morning said, "It's really rough.". Later that same year, she slashed another woman in the face. "How could there not be emotion in the court? Morning was stabbed more than 90 times in a savage slaying, her body found in woods near the school, CBS 2's Weijia Jiang reported. The woman, Kalila Taylor, 35, was sentenced on Thursday in Suffolk County Court. The victim's family brimmed with emotion over the re-trial. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Some were friends of both Miss Morning and Miss Taylor, who has worked at several fast food restaurants since she graduated from Riverhead High in 1995, one year ahead of Miss Morning's class. You have to go back to your classroom and tell your teacher to lock the door. She said that her daughters teacher had no idea what was going on. State Supreme Court Justice William Condon today sentenced Kalila Taylor to 25 years to life in prison for the murder of Riverhead High School student Curtisha Morning in 1996. The $40 million land deal between Riverhead and Triple Five affiliate CAT: a look back, Riverhead ambulance will begin billing for all transports in the next 60-90 days to cover the rising costs of emergency rescue services, Ferry fare hike for Greenport to Shelter Island ferry set for public hearing Tuesday in Hauppauge, Tentative $229 billion budget deal fully funds foundation aid to schools, raises minimum wage and limits MTA payroll tax hike to NYC: Hochul, Riverhead cracks down on stray shopping carts: Town Board wrap-up, Town Board members claim they didnt see controversial EPCAL air cargo plans before they were publicly presented to Riverhead IDA, A fresh start: Riverhead hosts Saturday meeting, hoping to boost public participation in planning for the communitys future, Most parcels on towns list of sites eligible for cannabis uses under town code are already fully developed, analysis shows, Cops: Man driving stolen vehicle out of Nassau County arrested on Route 58 Sunday afternoon, Cops search for two masked men wanted in attempted armed robbery of West Main Street liquor store last night, Run, hide, fight Experts advice for surviving an active shooter situation, Learn about warehouse breeds at an informational meeting hosted by Calverton civic group this evening, Historic observatory at Riverhead High School reopens after repairs, Screening of Paper Clips documentary set for Sunday afternoon at Riverhead library for Holocaust Remembrance Day, Suffolk Theater to host active shooter response training seminar on Tuesday, Students and parents ask for increased school security after bullet incident, as administration assures safety, School board OKs $20 million spending increase for next school year, requiring 1% tax levy hike, Seven candidates running for four school board seats, as proposed $192.4 million budget is slated for board adoption Wednesday, Town Board must be more inclusive if downtown quality of life efforts are to be effective, The CAT plan for EPCAL does not deserve taxpayer financial support, When it comes to open government, New Yorks lofty ideals bear little relation to reality. RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- It's been more than 16 years since a Riverhead High School homecoming queen was killed in a frenzied rage. a Canadian physician who wrote the poem in May 1915 after he conducted the funeral of a close friend killed in battle in Belgium. Can you imagine what that's like for me? Support RiverheadLOCAL today. In a stunning twist that capped a fast-moving scandal involving a member of the Riverhead Central School District Board this week, board vice president Laurie Downs resigned her position Tuesday in the wake of outrage over comments she made disparaging Brentwood as the home of dangerous Latino gangs. A Riverhead High School student threatened students and faculty on Wednesday, police say. 16 years after Riverhead High School student Curtisha Morning was brutally murdered, families on both sides speak out. We are a small family-owned operation. In 1996 she had it all -- youth, beauty, smarts. Ms. Hagemeyer's contract runs through. Romantic Rival Is Arrested in 1996 Death of a Teen-Ager, https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/11/nyregion/romantic-rival-is-arrested-in-1996-death-of-a-teen-ager.html. Around 1:30 in the morning, Deniss grandmother was the first to realize that something was not right with the young man after she heard him struggling and strongly complaining, Ruano said. If convicted, she faces 25 years to life in prison. A 15-year-old male student yelled into a classroom, "I'm going to shoot up the school." The student was . A Riverhead high school student was taken into police custody Friday after bringing more than a dozen .22 caliber bullets into the school and prompting a security alert that sent the school into lockdown, according to police officials. Simple, fast sign-up here. The AP participation rate at Riverheads High School is 18% . RIVERHEAD, NY (PIX11) Three times in the last 10 days, students have had to be revived from apparent overdoses, all at the same high school in eastern Long Island. Building 3, Suite 2 Knowing what the climate [in schools] is nationally, its ridiculous that they havent held a drill all year., In an April 3 statement, Riverhead officials said the district is in compliance with the required drills up to this point in the school year. A heavy law enforcement presence remained at the scene Wednesday as the suspect remains at large. When 17-year-old Curtisha Morning, a promising and popular senior at Riverhead High School, disappeared a year and a half ago, her parents repeatedly told the police that she was not the type of . Mattituck, NY 11952. Scholarship awardees are selected based on one-page essay or video presentation, educator or personal references, school and community activities, and overall high school transcripts. . Hopefully we get another appeal," sister Katisha Taylor said. RIVERHEAD, NY A " hold-in-place" response at Riverhead High school after bullets were found in the hallway Friday led to terrified students, not sure if there was an active shooter in. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community. In August 2021, a scourge of overdoses traced to fentanyl-laced cocaine led to six deaths in Southold Town and Southampton Town police arrested a 25-year-old from Flanders Sunday after he reportedly threatened someone with a box cutter in A former Suffolk County police sergeant who has given trainings at hundreds of schools, businesses and houses of worship Riverhead Town initiated a second attempt to complete its comprehensive plan update Saturday during a workshop at The Suffolk. A publication of Times Review Media Group, 7555 Main Road Tornatore said counselors throughout the district will be available beginning today for all students, faculty and staff as needed. Curtisha had so much going for her.". Felt my whole world fall apart, my whole world crashing under my feet. Anyone can read what you share. State Supreme Court Justice William Condon will sentence the defendant. Sale price: $49.99. Despite the grief, during the past 16 years, Morning has tried to, somehow, "get on with my life." A Riverhead High School student was also recently arrested after he brought more than a dozen bullets, but no firearm to the school on March 31. Jun 1, 2021, 6:47 pm Riverhead High School unveiled the PFC Garfield M. Langhorn Veterans Wall of Honor this afternoon. Anyone can read what you share. A jury found Kalila Taylor guilty three years after it happened, but an appellate court threw out that decision in 2004 because of faulty jury instructions. The student who brought the bullets to school told authorities that he found them on a shelf at his brothers business, police said in a press release. ", Her eyes filled with tears, Morning said rehashing the details of her daughter's murder has made the pain fresh, 16 years later. The eyewitness is unreliable and tainted," defense attorney John Loturco said. The attack was provoked by Taylors belief that her boyfriend, the father of her child, showed a romantic interest in Morning. Support RiverheadLOCAL today. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The shaken community, frantic that a sexual killer was on the loose, was stunned when Curtisha Morning's female classmate, Kalila Taylor, also 17 years old, was arrested and convicted in the vicious violent murder. All Rights Reserved. Riverhead Central School District buses that were en route to drop students off at the complex were diverted back to the high school campus, according to a message from superintendent Dr. Augustine Tornatore sent to parents. Two separate school shooting threats last year led to the arrests of Riverhead High School students. A mobile crime scene unit was also called to the scene and officers began flying a drone as the search for a suspect continued. One of the last people to see a Riverhead High School homecoming queen alive 16 years ago testified Thursday about seeing her in an "animated discussion" with a shorter girl before turning and . The survival of local journalism depends on your support. When 17-year-old Curtisha Morning, a promising and popular senior at Riverhead High School, disappeared a year and a half ago, her parents repeatedly told the police that she was not the type of girl to run away from home. He said her criminal record began in early 1992 when she slashed the arm of a woman in Riverhead. I called the emergency room, they came, and quickly started to provide first aid and resuscitation, but everything went so fast, I think he almost died here at home, the distraught father said. Taylor stabbed Morning, 17, more than 90 times, according to prosecutors, who said the attack was provoked by Taylors belief that her boyfriend, the father of her child, showed a romantic interest in Morning. The retrial, she said, forced her to "relive what happened," disrupting her life and making the wounds of loss raw once again. The survival of local journalism depends on your support. District Attorney James M. Catterson Jr. said the suspect, Kalila Taylor, 20, was driven to kill by jealousy over a boyfriend the two young women had shared, Carl Brown, who left Miss Taylor for Miss Morning. While you are reminiscing about the times you spent in high school at Riverhead High School, you should also check out alumni photos . ''We believe she is an extremely violent and out-of-control young lady,'' Mr. Lt. Beyrer said they believe the shooting took place outside of a unit but did not speculate on what caused the fight to break out. The victim was a 17-year-old homecoming queen. However, after therapy and medication she is now deemed fit for re-trial. "It's not easy," Morning said outside the Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex in Riverside, where the trial is being presided over by Judge William Condon. "My daughter's spirit can rest," Morning said. An aunt of the suspect told McLogan, "I am here for Kalila Taylor's side, and it's in Jesus' name.". Though it came 16 years later, Morning's family said it's better than never. ''. McCrae's poem was first published that . Morning. '', A woman who described herself as Miss Taylor's grandmother said on leaving the arraignment: ''We've got God on our side. Morning but my cousin didn't do it. Weve been in school since September. The situation comes. The victim, Curtisha Morning, was stabbed more than 90 times in February 1996 near Riverhead High School, on eastern Long Island. The two were classmates at Islip High School. Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the shooting and ask anyone with information to contact detectives at 631-852- 6392 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. She was convicted again in July. Triple Five, Calvertons developer, launches a review of rail options, Man Caught With Stolen Vehicle In Riverhead: Police, Search On For Suspects Wanted In Attempted Armed Robbery: PD, Take better care of your bones Join HSS for a new webinar on 5/3, JOB Needed as live-in companion/caregiver as of 5/1/23 (Suffolk County), Learn to restore physically & emotionally with Energy Healing, 'Crystals For A Cause' Benefits Greenport's Miniature Railroad Project, Minimum Wage Would Increase On Long Island Under $229B Budget Deal, Pet Adoption In The Riverhead Area: See New Local Dogs, Cats & More, Riverhead Job Openings: See Who's Hiring In The Area, Ex-Batmobile Replica Maker Has New Space To Continue Dream After Fire, LI Cat Missing For 2 Years Found In Time For Christmas: 'She Is Home! In August 2021, a scourge of overdoses traced to fentanyl-laced cocaine led to six deaths in Southold Town and Southampton Town police arrested a 25-year-old from Flanders Sunday after he reportedly threatened someone with a box cutter in A former Suffolk County police sergeant who has given trainings at hundreds of schools, businesses and houses of worship Riverhead Town initiated a second attempt to complete its comprehensive plan update Saturday during a workshop at The Suffolk. A publication of Times Review Media Group, 7555 Main Road ", Reflecting on the years her cousin has been imprisoned, Brandon said, "They took her life for something she did not do. Tu Prensa Local. "She took all that she had inside of her and she did it, for me. At Riverhead High School, lockdown drills are completed each quarter, fulfilling the high school lockdown drill requirement of four each school year.. Now the family plans to send his body to the municipality of Morales, in Izabal, Guatemala, where he will be buried. Prosecutors said Ms. Taylor believed that her boyfriend, the father of her child, had shown a romantic interest in Ms. Hours after a Suffolk Countyof killing Curtisha Morning 16 years ago, the weeks preceding the verdict were filled with the pain of having to relive her daughter's horrific last moments. When the state's highest court overturned the conviction, ruling the judge had given the original jury faulty instructions concerning DNA evidence, a second trial was ordered, CBS 2's McLogan reported. They said Kalila Taylor believed her boyfriend -- the father of her child -- was dating Curtisha Morning and she snapped. A Riverhead high school student was taken into police custody Friday after bringing more than a dozen .22 caliber bullets into the school and prompting a security alert that sent the school into lockdown, according to police officials. In January 1996, authorities said, she stabbed Mr. Brown. "We understand the tremendous amount of evidence to the contrary, but she professes her innocence. The survival of local journalism depends on your support. In a call to district families Wednesday, Mr. Tornatore confirmed that Preston was a high school student. Now they are setting up a memorial. Kalila Taylor will get credit for time already served, so she'll be eligible for parole in eight years. His father said that the family is in shock and eagerly awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the cause of death. August 23, 2012 / 5:16 PM I want her to suffer the way Curtisha suffered, for every stab wound Curtisha got, she has got to suffer. Ms. Parsons said her daughter told her that the high school has not conducted a lockdown drill during this school year, an assertion that she said she finds disturbing. Two 15-year-old boys were accused of making threats against Riverhead High School in less than 24 hours and a 13-year-old boy made a threat against Westhampton Beach Middle School on Thursday, Riverhead Town and Westhampton Beach Village police said. Regan, 48, a husband and father of two, was promoted from assistant principal to principal at Riverhead High School in 2013. Mr. Catterson said the slaying, which occurred 120 feet from where the body was hidden, left a trail of forensic evidence that police investigators carefully collected. No sales tax increase for clean water initiative: government must find another way, Holidays open the floodgates of family memories, March is an awareness month that hits home. In 2004, an appellate court overturned her first conviction, ruling the judge in the 1999 trial incorrectly instructed the jury to treat DNA evidence as direct evidence instead of circumstantial evidence. "I just want it to be over. Beyrer said. Triple Five, Calvertons developer, launches a review of rail options, Man Caught With Stolen Vehicle In Riverhead: Police, Search On For Suspects Wanted In Attempted Armed Robbery: PD, Take better care of your bones Join HSS for a new webinar on 5/3, JOB Needed as live-in companion/caregiver as of 5/1/23 (Suffolk County), Learn to restore physically & emotionally with Energy Healing, 'Crystals For A Cause' Benefits Greenport's Miniature Railroad Project, Minimum Wage Would Increase On Long Island Under $229B Budget Deal, Pet Adoption In The Riverhead Area: See New Local Dogs, Cats & More, Riverhead Job Openings: See Who's Hiring In The Area, Ex-Batmobile Replica Maker Has New Space To Continue Dream After Fire, LI Cat Missing For 2 Years Found In Time For Christmas: 'She Is Home! All Rights Reserved. Officers could be seen escorting residents of Hill Rise who lived past a police blockade to their homes. Officers responded to a report of shots fired at the Calverton Hills condominium complex around 3:55 p.m., police said. Email Chris Francescani and Melissa Azofeifa, Historic Young Observatory reopens at Riverhead High School, Swastikas found on desks at Shoreham-Wading River High School, Editorial: Fentanyl-related arrests hark back to local horrors, Blotters: Flanders man charged with menacing after threatening someone with a box cutter, At mass shooter survival training at Riverhead theater, expert urges Run, hide, defend strategy, Public weighs in as town resumes completion of Riverhead master plan update.