GATES, N.Y. — Police have released more details about the two teenagers charged with killing a Rochester man by allegedly setting him on fire.
Gates Police Chief James VanBrederode tells Spectrum News his officers have already had run-ins with Adriel Riley, Jr., 14, and Zayvion Perry, 16, before the two were accused of dousing Steven Amenhauser with a flammable liquid and setting him on fire in a Lyell Avenue building.
The 53-year-old city man died from his injuries on Tuesday.
The chief alleges that Riley robbed a deaf person at knife point in September and was charged with a felony.
He adds that both suspects were allegedly caught in a stolen car in January.
The chief says both times, the teens were released back into the custody of parents, part of a state reform three years ago that he says is not working.
"Because we don't want that pipeline right to Attica, but the way the current system is, it's terrible," said VanBrederode. "And what we have now in Rochester is an event that is absolutely horrendous and it was totally avoidable had the juvenile justice system had proper precautions in place."
Meanwhile, both Riley along with Perry were arraigned Wednesday on the murder charge in Youth Part Court.
Both pleaded not guilty, with prosecutors saying Perry repeatedly told the judge that he did not do it.
Both are being held on no bail, no release.