Woman to be tried in stabbing of two teen girls

A Philadelphia woman who police said was homeless will stand trial on assault charges in the June 1 stabbing of two teenage girls in a confrontation at the fountain in John F. Kennedy Plaza.

Assistant District Attorney Charlotte Gudis said Gabriel Hodges, 19, was held on charges of aggravated and simple assault, possession of an instrument of crime, and reckless endangerment after a preliminary hearing Friday before Family Court Judge Roger Gordon.

Gudis said the incident occurred about 7 p.m. when the teens, Brianna Morrison, 15, and Desiree Peirson, 16, both of Southwest Center City, were trying to beat the heat in the LOVE Park fountain. Gudis said Hodges allegedly warned the girls not to splash her and later became angry, claiming she had been splashed. Hodges allegedly stabbed Morrison with a scissors in the stomach and shoulder and broke her collarbone. Peirson tried to intervene and was slashed across her nose. Hodges remains in custody with bail set at $1,000, Gudis said. - Joseph A. Slobodzian