POWELL, Tenn. — We're learning more about the 13-year-old girl killed in Powell two weeks ago.
Friends and family laid Savannah Copeland to rest Sunday night at Powell United Methodist Church. Savannah wanted to study forensic anthropology at the University of Tennessee.
"She loved her family, she loved her friends, and she loved art. Savannah attended Powell Middle School and was a talented student as well as an accomplished athlete—excelling in gymnastics, karate, and cheerleading," her obituary said. " She enjoyed scary stories, drawing, and pop music. Savannah and her family have been longtime members of the Powell United Methodist Church."
WBIR 10News spoke to her father, Michael, on Monday. He said the family wants to send their thanks and appreciation to the community for the love and prayers they have received over the past two weeks.
The Knox County Sheriff's Office said the 13-year-old died after a 15-year-old acquaintance, Malakiah Harris, met her near a swimming pool in the Broadacres subdivision in Powell and stabbed her with a pocketknife on Oct. 22. Her body was found on a trail near Powell High School.
The boy was arrested shortly after and taken into juvenile custody on a second-degree murder charge. Harris was supposed to appear in court on Nov. 4. His status hearing was rescheduled to Tuesday, Nov. 13 with a new attorney.
Also to be determined is if Knox County prosecutors will seek to have him transferred to adult status so that he can stand trial in Knox County Criminal Court.
Juveniles rarely transfer over from the juvenile court, which has control over them until their 19th birthday, to adult court.