Teen Brothers Allegedly Assaulted 59-Year-Old Man At Frederick Fair Over $1, Police Say
FREDERICK, Md. (WJZ) — A judge ordered two teenagers held in the custody of juvenile services for an attack that left a man dead at the Great Frederick Fair.
A public defender representing the 15-year-old and 16-year-old suspects said they were in "complete shock" after learning the victim had died.
Two Teens Charged In Fatal Attack of Man At Frederick Fair
The sheriff identified that victim as 59-year-old John Marvin Weed of Mount Airy.
Prosecutors said Weed was attending the fair Friday with his family when he was "harassed and followed by a group of teens." The prosecutor said the teens were angry Weed would not give them a dollar bill, and that's when they allegedly hit him in the head.
"There was some sort of dialogue that ensued after that that made it a negative situation. There was a punch that was delivered to the back of the head by the 16-year-old, at that point in time there was a number of minutes that elapsed after that at which point in time, you all saw the video, the younger 15-year-old came flying through, lands a deadly blow to the victim," said Frederick County State's Attorney Charlie Smith.
Smith said video shows one of the suspects spitting on the victim after punching him. Weed never regained consciousness. First responders rushed him to Shock Trauma in Baltimore where he later died.
WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren was in the courtroom when the prosecutor described the attack as "completely random" and said the victim was a "complete stranger" to the suspects.
The teens are currently charged as juveniles. Smith said he is considering a move to adult court and a manslaughter charge for the 15-year-old boy who he said threw the final punch.
They have been charged with second-degree assault, and the younger boy is facing charges of first-degree assault and reckless endangerment.
The suspects are brothers. Their parents both appeared in court Monday.
The boys' father pleaded for them to be let out pending trial.
"My son is not an animal," he said of his 15-year-old son. "He's never been in trouble. He made a mistake. He's only 15. I feel for the other family. They lost a loved one. My son doesn't deserve to spend the rest of his life in prison."
The judge called the attack a "terrible tragedy" and ordered both suspects held until their next court date on October 22.
The violence was captured on several videos from witnesses. The state's attorney said he is still reviewing those videos and charges could be pending against more suspects on the case.
Smith said there is no evidence to show this attack was part of the 'knock out game' or had any racial motive. He said the case remains under investigation.
At a Mount Airy home believed to be Weed's, a note taped to the door said: "We are unable to make a statement at this time. Thank you for showing concern for our grieving-heartbroken family."
Meanwhile, a change.org petition calling on fair organizers to block entry for unaccompanied minors has more than 3,700 signatures.
