The mother of the 6-year-old stabbed to death in an East New York elevator four years ago took the stand today at the trial of his alleged killer.

No cameras were allowed as Aricka McClinton testified. Prosecutors say her son, Prince Joshua Avitto, was stabbed to death by Daniel St. Hubert.

PJ Avitto and his best friend Mikayla Capers were stabbed 27 times in a public housing elevator. Capers survived.

St. Hubert’s defense attorney says they have sympathy for the children’s families but that they still maintain that St. Hubert is innocent.

"He and I have a great deal of personal sympathy for the victims and their families,” says Howard Greenberg. “We both maintain his innocence, as we have for four years.”

Capers is expected to testify early next week.