Jury convicts local teen of manslaughter, not murder

PONTIAC (AP) -- A Detroit-area teen faced with a possible murder conviction and life in prison has instead been found guilty of manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old at a party. The verdict was returned Monday in Oakland County Circuit Court. Leonard White told jurors last week that he stabbed Johnathan Rickman in self-defense last June in West Bloomfield Township. The 16-year-old claimed Rickman punched him four or five times in the head. Authorities believe White chased Rickman with a knife. Rickman attended Walled Lake Western High School, while White attended Walled Lake Central. The Oakland Press says White will be sentenced on Jan. 4. The judge could sentence him as an adult, a juvenile or blend the punishment. Published: Wed, Dec 14, 2011