The man accused in the traffic death of 4-year-old Ariel Russo rejected a plea deal, then got extra time to consider it.
Franklin Reyes at first turned down the judge and district attorney's offer of three to nine years in prison.
But when the judge then asked Reyes if he wanted to go on trial for manslaughter, feeling police and more than a half dozen other charges. Reyes mumbled and shook his head no.
Prosecutors say Reyes, then 17, was fleeing from police in this SUV back in June of 2013 when he crashed into two people on the curb at Amsterdam Avenue and 97th Street.
Ariel Russo, walking to school, died. Her grandmother was seriously injured.
Since then cops have arrested Reyes three times: once for driving and fleeing from police, allegedly injuring an officer. Another time for attempted escape and yet again for robbery.
Reyes had weeks to think about proposed plea deal, which would send him away for up to nine years on all the charges against him. But when he rejected the offer and the judge moved to set trial dates, the defense asked to revisit the offer in the morning and the judge granted the request.
But Reyes' family left court dissatisfied and emotional while the mother and father of Ariel Russo showed patience and poise.
Ariel's father says he wants Reyes to serve the maximum sentence.
"Nothing is ever going to be enough. I'm just glad that it was three to nine, they took away the youthful offender and hopefully he goes to trial and just gets more jail time. That is best case scenario for me and my family,” said Alan Russo, father of Ariel.
The plea deal also covers two other cases Reyes is charged in.
If he rejects it, he'll go to trial on and could be sentenced to up to 21 years in prison if convicted.