Exclusive – Teen Charged With Killing News Anchor

The New York teenager facing charges that he murdered a gay radio news anchor during sex was arraigned in court Friday afternoon. His lawyer put dead man’s kinky sexual habits in the spotlight, telling the judge that the defendant is in fact the victim.

A child defending himself against a sexual predator: Self Defense. That was the argument offered Friday afternoon by defense attorneys for 16-year-old John Katehis. Katehis is being charged as an adult with Second Degree Murder in the death of 47-year-old George Weber. The ABC Radio News anchor was found dead with a reported 50 or more stab wounds to his body. Police call it an Internet sex hook-up that turned deadly. Defense attorney Jeff Schwartz claims that Weber supplied the teen with alcohol and cocaine, and he says that explains why the 16-year-old had to defend himself.

Schwartz: “Mr Katehis panicked, high on coke, high on alcohol. Started feeling very threatened and uncomfortable, and that is when the struggle ensued.”

Outside the courtroom, Schwartz told reporters that it’s only matter of time before the public learns who the “real victim” is in this tragic story. Katehis’s lawyer painted a dark picture of what he called George Weber’s “secret life”

Schwartz: “The situation got out of control. The knife was first introduced by Mr. Weber, also known as Smother Boy.”

The teenager’s mother and father were present in the media-packed courtroom — his dad visibly shaken, wiping tears from his eyes. The boy’s mother, Beth Katehis, tells OutQ she’s is completely confident of her son’s innocence. She spoke only to OutQ News:

Beth Katehis: “John is innocent. He defended himself from Weber.”

The next court date has been set for July.

–Joseph Fenity