Sherman Oaks stabbing victim's family says suspects are innocent

SHERMAN OAKS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Jacob Koffman, 17, was stabbed to death in Sherman Oaks, but his family insists that the suspects who are in custody are innocent.

"My brother was murdered. His two friends tried saving his life, and they are being tried as adults for my brother's murder, and we want them out," said the victim's sister Sydney Koffman.

The suspects, 17-year-old D'Andre Charles and 17-year-old P.J. Wartak, appeared in court on Tuesday to set a date for a preliminary hearing, but it was continued to April.

Sydney Koffman is outraged that her brother's best friends are charged with murdering him. She joined dozens of friends at the Van Nuys courthouse to rally for their release.

A third teenager is also charged with the murder. All are charged as adults.

"They lost their best friend," Sydney Koffman said.

Prosecutors say the victim was stabbed to death and another person was wounded when the suspects attempted to rob a man at a Sherman Oaks apartment complex two weeks ago.

The D.A.'s office said in a statement, "The defendants are being charged under a theory of provocative act murder. Under existing law, when a defendant's criminal acts set into motion a situation where the natural and probable consequences are that a third party would reasonably respond with deadly force, the defendant is held responsible for the death."

Prosecutors have not disclosed who actually stabbed the victim.

"That's why all these people are out here. They want to know why the person who did the stabbing and killed this young boy is free," said defense attorney Robert Sheahen.

The suspects entered not guilty pleas at their arraignment.

"P.J. Wartak and D'Andre Charles were my son's friends. I've known these boys for years. They've been to my house," said the victim's stepfather, Jim Teel. "There's no way either of these boys could have hurt Jake."