Teen charged in slaying of actress shot during mugging

NEW YORK - A 19-year-old man was charged Tuesday with shooting an actress to death when she challenged a group of muggers on a Manhattan street.

Rudy Fleming was arraigned on charges of murder, robbery, attempted robbery and weapons possession, said Assistant District Attorney Robert Hettleman. If convicted, Fleming could face up to life in prison and possibly the death penalty, Hettleman said.

Police said a 14-year-old girl who was part of the group also was arrested. The girl, whose name was not immediately released, was brought to police Monday by her mother. She was awaiting arraignment late Tuesday on murder and other charges, police said.

Nicole duFresne, her fiance and another couple were leaving a bar in a section of Manhattan's Lower East Side known for hip nightspots early Thursday when they were approached by a group of mostly young men who demanded money, police said.

Witnesses said one of the men grabbed for the other woman's purse and duFresne intervened, asking: "What are you going to do, shoot us?"

Fleming then fired a single shot into her chest, police said.