Trial Ordered For Teen In French Street Artist's Murder In Detroit
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A Detroit judge has ordered a 14-year-old boy to stand trial on first-degree murder and armed robbery charges in the fatal shooting of a French street artist whose body was discovered a year ago near an abandoned public housing project.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy says the boy was 13 when he, 17-year-old Dionte Travis, 18-year-old Jasin Curtis and 20-year-old Drequone Rich killed 23-year-old Bilal Berreni, formerly of Paris, France.
Judge Virgil Smith ruled Thursday there's enough evidence to try the 14-year-old on adult charges in juvenile court. His next hearing is Sept. 22.
Authorities aren't identifying the boy.
The story made news nationwide when Berreni's body was found July 29, 2013, outside the dilapidated Frederick Douglass Homes — more commonly knows at the Brewster projects.
It was determined that Berreni had died from a gunshot wound to the head, but no identification was found. It took Michigan State Police seven months to identify him through fingerprints.
According to family members, the young artist — who painted large pieces in black and white on buildings — had been living in Detroit at the time of his death, occasionally squatting in vacant structures.
Worthy said evidencing tying the four suspects to Berreni's death will come out during pre-trial proceedings.
A probable cause hearing for Travis, Curtis and Rich — also charged with first degree murder and robbery — is set for Oct. 9.
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