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Nov 2, 2009 11:01 pm US/Eastern
Friends Want Leniency In Case Of Brother Stabbed
Matthew Gorzynski's Viewing Was Monday
CORAL SPRINGS (CBS4) ―
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William Gorzynski walked into jail after allegedly stabbing his own brother.
CBS
The funeral for a Coral Springs boy who was allegedly stabbed by his brother was filled with tears and pleas from their family and friends urging prosecutors to be lenient on him, that this was just a terrible accident.
Timothy Gorzynski greeted the crowd that came out to say their emotional goodbyes Monday night to his brother and their friend, 14-year-old Matthew Gorzynski. Police say their 15-year-old brother William stabbed him in the chest with a kitchen knife during a fight.
"It's just so hard, because you know Matt's such a nice person, and I know William would never want to hurt him at all," said friend Cynthia Rivera.
Friends of both boys put on a unified front, wearing t-shirts saying goodbyes to Matthew on one side and showing support for William on the other.
"One said says 'Rest in Peace Matthew', said Attorney Glenn Roderman, "the other Free Will, The Truth Will Set You Free.'"
"We know he didn't do it on purpose. He didn't mean to do that," said Rivera.
"That's why everyone is supporting him, and doing everything we can to get him justice, because he's already living with that guilt," said friend Leia Serna.
Friends and family have started an internet petition drive, hoping to convince state prosecutors that this was a horrible accident and to leave William in the juvenile courts. His attorney says the family feels sending to prison would only devastate them even more.
"No matter what happened, they're suffering a life sentence by virtue of the loss to the family," says family attorney Glenn Roderman, "particularly William, with his brother being gone."
William Gorzynski remains in the county juvenile detention center. The sate prosecutor's office has yet to decide whether to charge him as a juvenile or as an adult.
The viewing for Matthew Gorzynski was open to the public Monday at the Kraeer Funeral Home, 1655 N University Drive in Coral Springs.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Burned Teen's Family Staying Positive
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