A student charged with fatally stabbing a classmate and badly wounding another inside a Bronx high school was freed Wednesday after posting $250,000 bail.

Abel Cedeno, 18, appeared before a judge who lowered his bail from $500,000. Before that, the judge heard heated arguments from Cedeno's attorney and the prosecutor before cutting the bail in half, imposing a curfew on Cedeno and requiring him to be tracked on his cellphone. The judge also issued an order of protection, keeping Cedeno away from the surviving victim.

Cedeno faces manslaughter and assault charges in the stabbing that killed 15-year-old Matthew McCree and critically injured Ariane Laboy at the Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation on Sept. 27.

Cedeno says he was the victim of relentless bullying over his sexual orientation and admitted to bringing a 3-inch switchblade into the school that had no metal detectors. His defense lawyers say two teachers stood by and watched him being harassed just before the deadly encounter.

Relatives of the victims stood outside the Bronx Hall of Justice Wednesday, arguing the school did not do enough to prevent the attack.

Cedeno released the following statement after posting bail: "This nightmare which occurred has torn apart three families. I am grateful to the people who donated to my bond fund which allowed my release. I promise you that your faith in me will never be betrayed."

Laboy's lawyer says the 16-year-old is recovering after undergoing surgery for a severed nerve in his shoulder that may cause permanent damage.

Cedeno is due back in court Feb. 1.