An 18-year-old cheerleader accused of playing a role in her teenage boyfriend’s slaying has asked a court for more freedom while she awaits trial.
Gianna Kistenmacher wants a judge to remove her GPS monitor and overnight curfew, allow her to use social media again, and eventually let her live on a college campus.
But her latest request has reopened painful wounds for the family of Trey Wright, the 16-year-old boy whose passing led to the arrest of nine teenagers.
While Kistenmacher’s lawyer argued that she had cooperated with prosecutors, Wright’s grandmother had a very different reaction to the idea of the accused teen getting to choose where and how she wants to live.
Gianna Kistenmacher is asking the court to ease her bond restrictions following the slaying of a 16-year-old
Kistenmacher, who was 17 when Trey was fatally wounded in June 2025, is charged with accessory before the fact to m*rder.
She has lived at her family home in Myrtle Beach since July 2025.
At first, she was under full-time house arrest. Her restrictions were later eased, and she was given an overnight curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Now, the 18-year-old wants even more freedom.
According to ABC News 15, Kistenmacher is asking the court to remove her GPS monitor and curfew. Her lawyer also said she wants to apply to colleges outside her local area and hopes to live on campus eventually.
She is also seeking permission to use social media again. However, her lawyer said she only wants access to keep up with college announcements and student alerts, not to post online herself.
The judge did not decide during the latest hearing, leaving Kistenmacher’s requests unresolved for now.
Kistenmacher was arrested after her boyfriend was found fatally wounded
The case began on June 24, 2025, when Trey Dean Wright was found with multiple g*nshot wounds on First Neck Road in Florence County, South Carolina.
Authorities later arrested nine teenagers in connection with the case.
Investigators said an online argument had broken out between Trey and 19-year-old Devan Raper. According to court records, the dispute centered on Kistenmacher, who was Trey’s girlfriend at the time.
Trey reportedly told Raper that he did not like him spending time with Kistenmacher.
Authorities alleged that Kistenmacher, Raper, and several others then got into a car and drove to Johnsonville, where Trey lived.
Raper is accused of sh**ting Trey after the teenager approached the vehicle.
The Florence County Sheriff’s Office alleged that several of the teens involved knew Raper had a weapon and that there would be a confrontation.
“They were complicit in bringing the armed codependent, Raper, to the incident location and knowing that there would be a confrontation,” Maj. Michael Nunn told WBTW-TV.
Authorities revealed the dispute involved a romantic rivalry
Sheriff T.J. Joye said the alleged motive was a dispute over a girl.
“They had issues with each other, and it was over a female,” Joye told WBTW.
The sheriff also reflected on the devastating consequences of the alleged confrontation.
“The sad thing is, you got a 16-year-old that lost his life. You’ve got a 19-year-old who is going to be in jail the rest of his life. Over what?” he said.
Raper faces charges of m**der and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. He is being held without bond.
Kistenmacher’s arrest warrant reportedly accused her of bringing Raper to the meeting despite knowing he was armed and helping set the confrontation in motion.
Her exact role in the events remains part of the ongoing criminal case, and she has not been convicted.
Following Kistenmacher’s request, Trey’s grandmother became furious
Both Trey and Kistenmacher’s families attended the recent court hearing.
Afterward, Trey’s grandmother, Brenda Gore, shared an emotional Facebook post criticizing Kistenmacher’s request for fewer restrictions.
“Gianna wants to go to the college of her choice. Trey wasn’t given a choice, or he would have chosen to live his life,” Gore wrote.
She also expressed anger that several of the accused teenagers remain out on bond.
“Why did these 9 pieces of s–t get to decide Trey’s future and think they have rights to continue to live a life of luxury,” she wrote.
“I hate you all for taking away a child I loved…they should be locked up forever.”
Gore also mentioned two other defendants, Braylyn Thompson and Jaden Auclaire, who were reportedly taken back into custody after allegedly violating the terms of their house arrest and committing additional crimes.
“These two, out breaking the law again should they be allowed to stay out on bond until they k*ll someone else [sic],” she wrote.
During the hearing, Kistenmacher’s lawyer argued that she has earned more freedom because she has fully cooperated with prosecutors as they continue pursuing cases against the other defendants.
However, that cooperation does not mean Kistenmacher has received a plea deal.
Reports stated that the agreement limits how prosecutors can use some of her statements against her, but the accessory-to-m**der charge against her remains.
For now, Kistenmacher will continue living under her current bond restrictions while the court considers her latest requests.
"So far out of touch with reality," wrote one netizen
