Girl Charged With Murder

Police say an 18-year-old Gloucester City girl allegedly killed her father during an incident of domestic violence at her home and now they have arrested the girl for murder.

Now the community is rallying around the teenager -- outraged that she would be accused of murder in a case that seems to be self-defense.

Police said that Alan Karo bled to death on the first floor of his home and Jasmine Karo, his 18-year-old daughter, was the person responsible.

"She took a knife and stabbed her father. And as a result of that knife wound, today, her father is dead," said Vincent Sarubbi, the Camden County Prosecutor.

Margaret Smiley is Jasmine's mother and Karo's longtime girlfriend. Authorities said that she is a victim of domestic abuse.

"I'm miserable at this point," Smiley said. "She didn't actually do anything to hurt him. She was just trying to protect me. And she just, just ... He just bled to death on his own and she didn't do nothing for her to be where she's at."

Smiley told NBC 10 News that she wants Jasmine out of jail.

"It was just a totally stupid accident. And she didn't actually do anything to hurt him. She was just trying to protect me," Smiley said.

Neighbors said that Jasmine's home was a place of constant heavy drinking and continual domestic violence involving her parents.

"When you get two parents drinking like they do, and constantly fighting and beating on each other physically. I mean, what are the children supposed to do?" asked neighbor John Nicholas.

"There had been prior domestic violence and restraining orders. But we're not sure whether any of them were in effect. Ah, again, it's a common problem there," said Chief William Johnson of the Gloucester City police.

Jasmine is being held on a $200,000 bond. Neighbors say the girl was just defending herself and her mother.

"She's a lovely little girl and this legal system does not protect children when they leave them in a house ... These children should be protected. They're not being protected," said Theresa Graham, a crossing guard.

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Girl Charged With Murder

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