Edgewater, NJ – The son of a former aide to New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s wife was due in court Tuesday on charges he fatally stabbed a 16-year-old boy who apparently tried to rob him.
Khari Noerdlinger, 19, of Edgewater, New Jersey, was arrested at his home Monday morning on aggravated manslaughter and other charges in the death of Savion Lewallen, of Spring Valley, New York. The stabbing occurred around the corner from Noerdlinger’s house.
Attorney Jeffrey Lichtman said he will ask a judge to lower Noerdlinger’s $500,000 bail. He said he expects Noerdlinger to be released on bail Tuesday or Wednesday.
Noerdlinger’s mother, Rachel Noerdlinger, resigned in 2014 after a string of damaging disclosures about her personal life, including Khari’s arrest on misdemeanor trespassing charges. Those charges were dismissed after he completed a day of community service.
Rachel Noerdlinger was the chief of staff for first lady Chirlane McCray and had served as a spokeswoman for the Rev. Al Sharpton.
After she left her $170,000-a-year job in the city in 2014, news reports divulged that Noerdlinger’s boyfriend pleaded guilty to manslaughter 21 years earlier and mocked police as “pigs” on Facebook.
A Department of Investigation probe also found that she omitted key information on her background check.
Lichtman said he hadn’t been allowed to speak with his client as of Tuesday morning and wasn’t told what charges he faced until he read a news release from Bergen County prosecutors on Monday night.
Authorities said Lewallen went to Edgewater on Sunday with four New York accomplices to commit armed robbery.
Authorities said Lewallen was stabbed in the femoral artery during a fight with Noerdlinger.
It wasn’t clear what led to the fight or whether Noerdlinger had been the initial target.
Lewallen’s death was ruled a homicide.
The four other suspects were arrested on robbery charges and were jailed on $750,000 bail.
Bergen County prosecutors said Noerdlinger and others also took steps to remove evidence.
He was also charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and hindering apprehension.
