First day in court for Cicero man accused of killing 17-year-old Utica teen, family speaks

UTICA, N.Y. (WSTM) - The Cicero man accused of brutally killing 17-year-old Bianca Devins arrived in Utica City Court on Monday for his first court appearance.

Brandon Clark, 21, from Bridgeport in Cicero, is accused of killing Devins in a brutal knife attack on July 14. He posted graphic pictures of her body on social media and called police to the scene of the crime, stabbing himself in the throat when they arrived.

Clark and Devins met on Instagram and had been seeing each other for roughly two months, according to police.

READ MORE:Cicero man charged with murder of 17-year-old social media star from Utica

The murder garnered national attention as many outlets explored the substantial following Devins had built on non-mainstream social media platforms including Discord and 4chan and how they contributed to the disturbing images of her body going viral online.

READ MORE:Utica social media star's murder shared on subculture forums where she gained fame

Cameras were not allowed in the courtroom, but sources from our partners at WKTV say that Clark went before the judge in a bullet-proof vest.

Clark has been behind bars in the Oneida County Jail without the possibility of bail since last Thursday when he was released from the hospital after undergoing emergency surgery for his self-inflicted stab wounds.

READ MORE:Utica murder suspect from Bridgeport out of hospital, taken to prison

Frank Williams, Devins’ grandfather, spoke to reporters from WKTV to say that their entire family is grateful from the outpouring of support that they’ve received.

"The people that have sent their love, their prayers and their support. We feel them. We feel them deeply. We don't know how we would have gotten through this terrible journey without their love and support,” Williams said.

Clark will be back in court for his felony hearing on Thursday.