Cedeno appeared before a judge for the first time Thursday. His family dodged news cameras in court, but a close family friend, Savannah Hornback, spoke on their behalf.
"He was constantly tortured at school, and I guess he felt no other way out than to resort to the means that he did," said Hornback.
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"We send our condolences," she added. "The family is very sorry that it had to come to this."
Hornback said Cedeno has been bullied at at least three separate schools.
"He came home crying, I know that he has also sought professional help outside of school in regards to the matter," said Hornback. "The school was made aware, but there was no reaction from the school, so I guess he took matters into his own hands, unfortunately."
Yanique Heatley, 18, a student at the school, told reporters that Cedeno was "different from the other guys."
"He likes Nicki Minaj, stuff from H&M. He likes Kylie Jenner," she said.
"He usually gets bullied a lot," said Asia Jones, 18. She said fellow students bothered Cedeno in the hall and "talk crap to him."
"He's nice," she said. "He's sensitive. He has a good heart."
On his Instagram page, Cedeno posted pictures and videos of himself vamping with flowers in his hair, strutting down a street and singing along with female rappers.
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/New-York-School-Student-Stabs-Classmates-De-Blasio-448411993.htmlPoor kid must have snapped
