Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that 23-year-old Andrew Tollinche was arraigned Monday on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Jonathan Melo in April.
The Bronx TikToker was arraigned before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Alvin Yearwood. He was remanded and remains in custody.
Veronica Roche, Tollinche's 50-year-old mother, was arraigned on June 1, 2026, on tampering with physical evidence, first-degree hindering prosecution, second-degree hindering prosecution, and second-degree criminal facilitation before Yearwood.
Both defendants are due back in court on Sept. 21, 2026.
“This defendant is accused of fatally stabbing a 17-year-old boy who was hanging out with his friends and riding an electric scooter. The death of this young man has devastated his family and friends. We will do everything in our power to get justice for this victim and his loved ones," said Clark.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Dicostanzo, under the supervision of Burim Namani, Deputy Chief of the Homicide Bureau, Christine Scaccia, chief of the Homicide Bureau, and under the overall supervision of James Brennan, deputy chief of the Trial Division, and Theresa Gottlieb, chief of the Trial Division.
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