Benton posts bond, is released to undisclosed location

Ashley Paige Benton, the 16-year-old girl accused of stabbing a 15-year-old to death during a June 6 gang fight at Chew Park, posted bail and left jail Monday morning. She will remain under house arrest in a situation where her relatives can care for her and she can be home schooled, attorney Rick DeToto said.

During a hearing yesterday, state District Judge Devon Anderson said she was concerned about reported death threats against Benton and a report that she told a friend she planned to leave the area. DeToto isn't telling where Benton will live, citing the concerns over her safety, and Anderson ordered her to wear a monitoring device on her ankle at all times. Benton was also ordered not to have any contact with members of the Crazy Crew gang, with which police believe she was involved.

Benton will appear in court again Sept. 7; though no trial date has been set, she will be tried as an adult, meaning she could face up to life in prison. In the meantime, DeToto said he will try to suppress Benton's statement to police after her arrest June 7 — he said Benton repeatedly refused to give a statement when police came to her home, but talked when she was separated from her mom.

Gabriel Granillo, the teen who was killed, and his 17-year-old brother, Steven, are reported to have had links to MS-13, a violent gang active in Latin America and most of the U.S.