One of two teenagers charged in the non-fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old boy outside the Columbia mall in January was convicted of assault by a judge July 1.

Cordero Dante Taylor, 16, of Prince George's County, was convicted on one count of first-degree assault by Howard County Circuit Court Judge Richard Bernhardt following a two-day trial, said Wayne Kirwan, a spokesman for Howard County State's Attorney Dario Broccolino.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Taylor aided and abetted Bernado Leconte, 18, of Oakland Mills, who is charged with stabbing the 17-year-old boy during a drug transaction outside the Columbia mall on Jan. 8, according to Kirwan.

Leconte's charges in the case include attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, armed robbery and robbery. He is scheduled to be tried on Sept. 2.

Taylor, who will be sentenced Aug. 2, faces up to 25 years in prison, according to Kirwan. Taylor is being held without bond at the Howard County Detention Center, Kirwan said.

Taylor's attorney, Gabriel Terrasa, could not be reached for comment.

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