Massimo Ferrandino, lawyer of the widow of police officer Mario Cerciello Rega speaks to reporters outside Rome's courthouse, Monday, Sept. 16, 2019. The lawyers for one of two American teenagers being held in the July slaying of the police officer have dropped a request for their client Gabriel Natale-Hjorth to be released, saying they need more time to study new evidence emerged from the investigation. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
ROME (AP) - The lawyers of one of two American teenagers being held in the slaying of an Italian police officer have dropped a request for their client to be released.
Lawyers for Gabriel Natale-Hjorth, who's in custody for his alleged role in the fatal stabbing of Italian police officer Mario Cerciello Rega, said Monday they need time to study new evidence that emerged recently.
Lawyer Francesco Petrelli says "it was the only possible decision, as prosecutors told us there are new investigative activities ongoing."
Natale-Hjorth and his friend, Finnegan Lee Elder, were jailed in Rome in July as investigators probe their alleged roles in Cerciello Rega's death.
Prosecutors say Elder stabbed Cerciello Rega while Natale-Hjorth scuffled with the officer's partner during a meeting organized by the teens to get money and cocaine in exchange for a backpack they had snatched.
Fabio Alonso, lawyer of American teenager Gabriel Natale-Hjorth, walks out of Rome's courthouse, Monday, Sept. 16, 2019. The lawyers for one of two American teenagers being held in the July slaying of the police officer have dropped a request for their client Natale-Hjorth to be released, saying they need more time to study new evidence emerged from the investigation. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
Fabio Alonso, left, and Francesco Petrelli, lawyers of American teenager Gabriel Natale-Hjorth, speak to reporters outside Rome's courthouse, Monday, Sept. 16, 2019. The lawyers for one of two American teenagers being held in the July slaying of the police officer have dropped a request for their client Natale-Hjorth to be released, saying they need more time to study new evidence emerged from the investigation. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
Roberto Capra, lawyer of American teenager Finnegan Lee Elder, arrives at Rome's courthouse, Monday, Sept. 16, 2019. The lawyers for one of two American teenagers being held in the July slaying of an Italian police officer have dropped a request for their client, Elder's friend Gabriel Natale-Hjorth, to be released, saying they need more time to study new evidence emerged from the investigation. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press