3rd-Degree Murder Charge Held In Deadly Rittenhouse Stabbing

PHILADELPHIA – Michael White, the former college student and delivery man accused of stabbing and killing Sean Schellenger in Rittenhouse in July, had his third-degree murder charge held at a Tuesday court hearing, according to court records.

White, 21, appeared in court Tuesday for his preliminary hearing in the case of 37-year-old Schellenger's death.

Court records show White was released from house arrest, but his third-degree murder charge was upheld. White was initially charged with first-degree murder but the charge was downgraded in August.

Additionally, the possession of an instrument of crime and voluntary manslaughter charges were held.

White's formal arraignment is set for Nov. 20, according to court records.

The incident occurred at about 10:53 p.m. July 12 on the 200 block of South 17th Street in Rittenhouse Square.

Schellenger was stabbed once in the back after getting into an altercation with a man on a bike, believed to be White, police said. Schellenger, a Philadelphia real estate developer, was rushed to Jefferson Hospital and pronounced dead at 11:21 p.m., according to police.

It all stemmed from a traffic issue, police said. He and two other men were in a vehicle heading east on Chancellor Street when traffic got snarled at 17th Street.

Schellenger and the two other men got out of their vehicle to try to clear the jam, according to police. That's when police said the White rode up to the scene.

Words were exchanged between White and Schellenger and an altercation then ensued, police said. White – believed to be delivering food – then pulled out a large knife and stabbed Schellenger once in the back, police said.

Police said White fled heading north in the Rittenhouse Square area, leaving his bike and a food delivery bag.

Image via Philadelphia Police