A New York man accused of slitting a teen social media influencer’s throat earlier this month and posting images of her dead body online has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from her death.
Brandon Clark, 21, pleaded not guilty Monday to second-degree murder in connection with the July 14 slaying of Bianca Devins, 17. WKTV reported that the victim’s family members and friends were present for Clark’s arraignment and wore pins that read “Justice for Bianca.”
Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara previously told WKTV that Clark and Devins were attending a concert in Queens when Devins possibly kissed another man, causing Clark to fly into a jealous rage. After allegedly slitting Devins’ throat, Clark reportedly tried to take his own life in a similar matter during a police standoff in Utica.
Police reportedly said they believed the pair met on Instagram, adding that Devins’ family said they had been dating for roughly three months. However, Devins’ sister wrote on Instagram that Clark wasn’t an “internet boyfriend” but a “family friend” whom they trusted, according to Heavy.
McNamara also said authorities will likely treat the murder as an “extreme emotional disturbance” after an investigation determined that Clark didn’t plan to kill Devins, Fox News reported.
The Post-Standard noted that Clark’s father held Clark’s mother at knifepoint for 10 hours in 2010. The father had threatened to kill himself and his wife because he thought she was cheating on him.
Police ultimately stormed the home and took Clark’s father into custody. He was later sentenced to two to four years as part of a plea deal. The outlet didn’t specify whether Clark, who was 12 at the time, was present during the incident.
Clark, who remains jailed without bail, is due back in court on September 16.
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[Featured image: Brandon Clark/Instagram; Bianca Devins/Instagram]
