At left, stabbing victim Khaseen Morris is seen in 2019....

At left, stabbing victim Khaseen Morris is seen in 2019. At right, defendant Tyler Flach is pictured in 2019. Credit: Composite: Keyanna Morris; Nassau County Police Department

Tyler Flach’s lawyer revealed the strategy the defense will take in his client’s murder trial during jury selection Tuesday by conceding Flach had a knife during a deadly after-school fight, but contending he acted recklessly — instead of intentionally — when stabbing the 16-year-old victim.

“We are telling you that Tyler Flach had a knife in his hand during this incident,” defense attorney Edward Sapone told prospective jurors in Nassau County Court.

Sapone also said the case wasn’t a “whodunit” while appearing to start making a case for a lesser charge of second-degree manslaughter instead of second-degree murder.

The Manhattan defense lawyer said Flach, now 21, was throwing punches with the knife in his hand, a “reckless” thing to do, before the knife pierced the victim’s heart amid those blows.

Law enforcement officials have said Oceanside High School senior Khaseen Morris died after suffering a stab wound to his heart during a prearranged after-school brawl in the parking lot of a strip mall near his school on Sept. 16, 2019.

They’ve alleged Flach is guilty of second-degree murder because he meant to kill Morris when he intentionally stabbed him during the Oceanside altercation.

A grand jury indicted Flach on felony charges of second-degree murder and first-degree gang assault, along with misdemeanor assault and weapon charges.

Flach is facing up to 25 years to life in prison if the jury finds him guilty of murder. If convicted of second-degree manslaughter, Flach’s top penalty on that charge would be 5 to 15 years behind bars.

The grand jury also indicted seven of Flach’s friends on assault charges, three of whom sources previously told Newsday have made deals with the prosecution and could testify against him after pleading guilty during closed court proceedings.

Eight jurors were seated for the trial by day’s end Tuesday.

Nassau District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Nicole Turso declined to comment on statements Flach’s lawyer made in court regarding the defense strategy.

Acting State Supreme Court Justice Howard Sturim said the jury selection process would resume Wednesday morning.

Authorities have said Morris went to the Brower Avenue location with friends knowing that the ex-boyfriend of a girl he was friendly with wanted to confront him.

Morris’ family has said the teen texted the ex-boyfriend to say he wasn’t dating the girl and had just walked her home from a party.

The encounter unfolded about 3:45 p.m. and was captured on cellphone video, according to authorities. They’ve alleged Flach stabbed Morris after Flach and his group charged at Morris and his friends.

Nassau police initially said 50 to 70 young people watched the fight and recorded it on smartphones instead of helping Morris, before posting the video to social media.

But later police said that only about 20 youths watched the fight and as few as two recorded it.

Morris was the youngest of four siblings, an avid skateboarder and talented artist and writer who had dreamed of studying photography, according to his family.

Ronnie Tanner, a horse jockey in the '60s and '70s, and Kendrick Carmouche, a current jockey, spoke about the racism Black jockeys have faced. NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports. Credit: Ed Murray, Jonathan Singh

'I had to keep my mouth shut'  Ronnie Tanner, a horse jockey in the '60s and '70s, and Kendrick Carmouche, a current jockey, spoke about the racism Black jockeys have faced. NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports.

Ronnie Tanner, a horse jockey in the '60s and '70s, and Kendrick Carmouche, a current jockey, spoke about the racism Black jockeys have faced. NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports. Credit: Ed Murray, Jonathan Singh

'I had to keep my mouth shut'  Ronnie Tanner, a horse jockey in the '60s and '70s, and Kendrick Carmouche, a current jockey, spoke about the racism Black jockeys have faced. NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports.

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