Teen pleads not guilty to stabbing fisherman to death

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BALSAM LAKE, Wis. (AP) — A Minnesota teen has pleaded not guilty to stabbing a fisherman to death in a confrontation along the St. Croix River.

Nineteen-year-old Levi Acre-Kendall is charged with first-degree reckless homicide in western Wisconsin in the April 14 death of 34-year-old Peter Kelly.

According to authorities, Acre-Kendall and his friends were fishing at Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls, while Kelly and his friend were on the Minnesota side on the river. Authorities say Kelly and his friend were upset that the younger men were being loud and using profanity.

The Star Tribune reports that, according to the complaint, the groups exchanged words, and Kelly and his friend drove over and confronted the others. The complaint says Acre-Kendall stabbed Kelly in the chest.

Acre-Kendall’s bond was lowered from $125,000 to $75,000 during a Monday court hearing. His attorney has said he acted in self-defense.