Michael Zindler poses with his wife Krista Lynn Zindler and his stepson Logan Kubik, 8, at a local park several years ago. Michael was pronounced dead at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh after he was stabbed at a residence in Black Brook Thursday morning. (Photo provided)

PLATTSBURGH — Greg Zindler doesn’t know the name of the teen who is accused of killing his brother.

But, he said Friday,

Michael Zindler died Thursday after, at about 10:56 a.m., a 14-year-old boy allegedly stabbed him in the chest at 15 O’Hara Road in the town of Black Brook.

State Police Troop B Public Information Officer Trooper Jennifer Fleishman said Friday morning.

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Not-guilty plea

The teen, who was taken into custody without incident by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, was charged with second-degree murder for Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie said in a statement on Friday.

While on Thursday State Police called teen a Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie said Friday that the boy will be prosecuted as a juvenile offender, defined as a 14- or 15-year-old according to circumstances that fit the murder charge.

In Clinton County Court, Youth Part on Thursday, the boy was arraigned before Judge Timothy J. Lawliss on the charge, and his attorney, Matthew Favro, entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf, the DA said.

Favro waived the time frame for a preliminary felony hearing but reserved the right to have one on a future date.

The boy was given over to the custody of Clinton County Sheriff David Favro to be taken to according to Wylie.

The teen’s next court appearance was set for Friday, Oct. 19.

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Dustin Mitchell last saw Zindler — his cousin and best friend — last Saturday.

Mitchell said.

Zindler picked him up at his home in Plattsburgh then drove to the house on O’Hara Road, where Mitchell believed his cousin was staying with a girlfriend.

They worked on the truck and later headed to Gander Outdoors at Champlain Center mall in Plattsburgh.

Mitchell said.

Along with a bottle of soda and some snack-size Chips Ahoy cookies, Zindler purchased a hunting-style knife, Mitchell said,

he said.

Mitchell felt sure his cousin’s new knife was locked up in his Toyota 4Runner on Thursday.

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Loved children

Zindler and Mitchell grew up together. Their mothers, Lyn Reeves Corron and Christine Mitchell, are sisters and often spent weekends together.

Dustin said.

For the past three years or so, he called Zindler

Dustin said of Airabella, who’s 3. and Dustin started doing it, too.

Zindler adored children, including his stepson, Logan, and they returned his affection.

said Zindler’s brother, Greg.

Dustin said.

Dustin and Michael used to hang out at the mall — they liked shopping together.

And his cousin, Dustin said, always had to check out the shoe stores.

Especially shell-top sneakers, the kind with the large cap on the toe and lines on the sides running from the laces to the sole.

And while Dustin couldn’t quite understand why,

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Robert C. Reeves Jr., Michael’s uncle, helped raise Michael from the time he was a baby.

he said.

And his nephew was right there with a hug; Michael knew the value of a good hug in a time of need.

Reeves said, his voice choked with emotion as he spoke directly to his nephew.

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For the past few summers, Dustin said, Michael worked for Fosters’ Tent and Canopy Rentals in West Chazy, putting up tents and doing other setup.

his cousin and best friend said.

Michael had served some prison time for aggravated criminal contempt; he’d been arrested after allegedly hitting his wife.

Krista Lynn Zindler said Friday.

Dustin said.

He believed Michael was staying at the home where he was killed.

Greg.

A representative of Fosters’ chose not to comment for this story.

Krista said she and Michael, who were married six years, were estranged but trying to work things out. He was staying with a girlfriend when he was killed, she said.

she continued.

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Dustin can’t imagine life without

he said.

He’ll talk to Michael still, he said, for

Michael had named his dog Titan Michael Zinder, giving the pit bull his own name as a middle name; Dustin called his pup Thor Titan Mitchell to honor his cousin’s canine.

That’s how close they were.

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Zindler attended Beekmantown Central School.

The teen who allegedly killed him is apparently a Peru Central School student.

The district activated its Crisis Intervention Team met Friday morning to talk about how to according to a post on Peru Central’s Facebook page.

“School counselors are available to any Peru student, faculty or staff member who feel the need to talk.

the post said. “The students and employees of the Peru Central School District are not in danger.

The post also discouraged speculation about what transpired to result in Zindler’s death.

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Reeves attended Peru Central at the same time as Michael Murphy and Andrew Pitkin, and the outcome of events surrounding them has him thinking hard about the teen who is accused of killing his nephew.

On April 12, 1984, 14-year-old Murphy attacked and killed 10-year-old Pitkin in the woods near their homes in Peru’s Valcour neighborhood, stabbing him 33 times.

Convicted of second-degree murder, Murphy was sentenced to nine to life in prison.

He was released from Fishkill State Correctional Facility in June 2012.

Reeves said. “He dismembered Andrew Pitkin, and they let this man go.

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Press-Republican reporter McKenzie DeLisle contributed to this report.