Ashley Benton, accused of fatally stabbing a 15-year-old boy during a gang fight last June at
a Montrose park, is seen with attorneys Rick DeToto, left, and Brian Wice in January 2006.
(Photo: Carlos Antonio Rios, Chronicle File)

Ashley Benton

Defense attorney Brian Wice stands with Ashley Benton during her trial at the Harris County Criminal
Courthouse. Benton is accused of killing Gabriel Granillo in an afternoon gang fight between MS-13
and the Montrose-area gang Crazy Crew at Ervan Chew Park on June 6, 2006.
(Photo: Billy Smith II - The Houston Chronicle)

Ashley Benton

Ashley Benton, 17, holding the knife used in the 2006 death of gang leader Gabriel Granillo,
and defense attorney Rick DeToto demonstrate the events that led up to the slaying.
(Mayra Beltrán - The Houston Chronicle)

Ashley Benton, left, get support from a friend before the start of the third day of proceedings
 at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse.
(Billy Smith II - The Houston Chronicle)

Ashley Benton, 17, looks over her shoulder today during her murder trial.
Sitting next to her is Brian Wice, her defense attorney.
(Tony Bullard - AP)

Ashley Benton
(Brett Coomer - The Houston Chronicle)

Prosecutor Matt Peneguy shows the alleged murder weapon to the jury during Ashley Benton's trial.
(Nick De La Torre - The Houston Chronicle)

This knife is similar to the knife allegedly used by Ashley Benton to kill Gabriel Granillo.
(Carlos Antonio Rios - The Houston Chronicle)

Ashley Benton cries as a mistrial is declared. Her attorneys, Brian Wice, left, and Kent Schaffer,
argued the stabbing of rival gang leader Gabriel Granillo was in self-defense.
(Billy Smith II - The Houston Chronicle)

Ashley Benton hugs one of her lawyers, Rick DeToto, after she agreed to a plea agreement in the
177th District Court at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center. Benton's first trial on a murder
charge earlier this year ended in a hung jury. Friday's plea was to aggravated assault, and she
received five years of probation.
(Steve Ueckert - The Houston Chronicle)

Ashley Paige Benton is escorted out of the courtroom by the bailiff after she appeared in court
at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center in Houston on August 14, 2006.
(Karen Warren - The Houston Chronicle)

Benton, now 19, says she wants to continue her education.
(Julio Cortez - The Houston Chronicle)

The victim

Gabriel Granillo, 15.