Canadian diplomat's teenage son pleads not guilty to murder
MIAMI -- The attorney for a Canadian teen facing a murder charge in connection with a drug-related shooting that left two dead says that surveillance video "completely exonerates" him, according to CBS Miami.
Marc Wabafiyebazu, 15, did not have to appear before the judge Monday, but went to the courthouse to consult with his lawyer, reported the station. According to a court filing obtained by the Miami Herald, his attorney then entered a plea of not guilty.
Wabafiyebazu is charged with murder for his alleged role in a drug deal at a Miami apartment complex that got his older brother, 17-year-old Jean Wabafiyebazu, and another teen, Joshua Wright, killed, according to CBS Miami.
Two other suspects, Anthony Rodriguez and Johann Ruiz, are also facing felony murder and drug-selling charges. Rodriguez, 19, has also pleaded not guilty, while Ruiz is under house arrest.
Marc and Jean Wabafiyebazu are the sons of a Canadian diplomat, Roxanne Dubé. Police allege that the brothers drove Dubé's BMW with diplomatic plates to the drug deal and that the brothers planned to rob Rodriguez and Ruiz.
The defense team says that the younger Wabafiyebazu "did nothing more than sit in a car while his brother made a series of bad decisions which cost him his life," according to the newspaper.
The defense attorneys also claim that video surveillance, obtained by Miami detectives, show all those involved in the shooting arriving to the apartment, reported the Herald. Attorneys say in the video, shots are fired, and Wabafiyebazu exits the car "in confusion" and goes inside the apartment and comes out.
They add that he is seen following Rodriguez but the video "does not show Marc shoot" or even "threaten or even touch him," the paper reports. Police believe the 15-year-old then grabbed a gun and fired at Rodriguez, but other footage -- in possession of the prosecutors -- have yet to be released.
Police reports detail that Wabafiyebazu allegedly confessed to planning the armed robbery, while on route to the juvenile detention center and allegedly said that they had committed robberies before in Canada.
The defense have requested an Arthur hearing, which determines whether the 15-year-old suspect will be able to go home while awaiting trial.