HOUSTON (CBS Houston) A teen who allegedly stabbed her mother over 70 times will be tried as an adult. A Harris County Juvenile Justice Center judge ruled Thursday that a 16-year-old girl who fatally stabbed her mother will stand trial as an adult.

On July 16, Keri Lynn Murphy called 911 and said she and her mother, Mary Murphy, were victims of a home invasion. However, upon further investigation, homicide detectives found evidence that did not support such a claim made by the teen.

Authorities then turned their primary focus upon a friend of the daughter, Zein Ahmed. Ahmed later confessed to killing Mary Murphy. After Ahmed was arrested and charged, it was revealed that he did not stab Murphy and the charges against him were dropped.

Several months later and after thorough and  further investigation, authorities believe they know what led to the fatal stabbing of Mary Murphy. Further evidence supports the belief that Keri Lynn Murphy stabbed her mother because she felt her mother was trying to keep her apart from her 20-year-old girlfriend, Rebecca Keller; both stabbed Mary Murphy to death and both have been charged with murder.

Since the judge’s ruling to try the teen as an adult, the teen has reportedly been supported from members of her family. If Keri Lynn Murphy had been tried as a teen, she would have faced up to 40 years in prison. As an adult, Keri Lynn Murphy could be sentenced to life.