A request for a special prosecutor was denied Thursday in a high-profile case involving the fatal stabbing of a Bronx teen inside a city classroom. 

Abel Cedeno is accused of fatally stabbing 15-year-old Matthew McRee and injuring another student during a fight inside a Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation classroom in September 2017. He was charged with manslaughter and assault.

The defendants mother maintains her son was defending himself against bullies who had repeatedly threatened and assaulted him. The victim's mother hoping to finally get justice for her son after waiting almost two years.

“I don’t get to mourn my son until this process is over,” she told News 12.

Cedeno's laywers had requested a special prosecutor to be brought in to handle the proceedings against their client, but it was shut down by Criminal Court Judge Steven Hornstein. Cedeno’s lawyers were concerned that their client would not be able to get a fair trial.

A judge has set a hearing and trial date for June 18. Both families say they hope the trial will start that day.

MORE: Suspect in fatal classroom stabbing still awaits official trial date