A Ramsey teenager will now face a jury of adults in the killing of Champlin Park High School senior Diamond Manly.
A judge has ordered that Prince Mussa Alie, now 18, be tried in adult court in connection with Manly’s March 2, 2025, death, according to court records. Alie was certified as an adult and is charged with aiding and abetting counts tied to an alleged robbery, moving his case out of juvenile court more than a year after Manly was found shot inside a parked car in a Ramsey neighborhood.
According to KSTP, Alie is charged with one count of aiding and abetting second-degree murder, one count of aiding and abetting first-degree aggravated robbery, and one count of aiding an offender. Court documents obtained by the station say Alie told investigators he had three friends over at his Ramsey home the night before the homicide, and that an unnamed juvenile who lived with him suggested targeting Manly. Investigators also noted unspent rounds near the driver’s side of the vehicle, a bullet on the windshield wiper, and a hole in the driver’s side window consistent with being struck by an object, according to the station.
How investigators say it happened
Investigators say Manly believed he was heading out to sell THC vape cartridges and drove to a prearranged meeting spot, where he was shot as he tried to drive away, as reported by the Star Tribune. The paper reports that a doorbell camera recorded raised voices yelling, “Grab it! Give it here!” moments before a gunshot rang out.
According to the Star Tribune, police later searched the Perales brothers’ bedroom and say they found vape cartridges that matched a photo Manly had sent, along with cash, a magazine, and an unfired cartridge consistent with evidence from the scene.
Other suspects and where they stand
One suspect, Malik Perales, was later indicted on a first-degree murder charge, according to WCCO/CBS Minnesota. The station also reported that another teen charged in the case pleaded guilty months later and received a four-year sentence that was stayed in favor of extended probation under a plea deal.
What "certified as an adult" means
Under Minnesota law, the juvenile court can order a certification hearing and send a 16- or 17-year-old’s case to adult court when certain criteria are met, including a presumption for youths charged with offenses that would normally carry prison time or that involve a firearm, according to Minn. Stat. 260B.125. Once a judge certifies a juvenile for adult prosecution, the statute says the juvenile court loses jurisdiction, and prosecutors must proceed under adult criminal rules.
What happens next
The current status of the cases involving Malik Perales’ brother and the unnamed juvenile is not clear. KSTP reported that their case information was not publicly available in court records. Prosecutors have previously indicated they would seek adult certification for multiple defendants in the incident, and any additional indictments or grand jury actions could alter arraignment and pretrial timelines.
Community and family response
In the days after the killing, Manly’s parents publicly called for answers and justice, while Champlin Park High School officials told families they were offering support to students and staff, Fox9 reported. Community fundraisers were organized to help cover funeral costs as classmates and neighbors tried to process the loss of the popular senior.
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