2 teens held in fatal robbery attempt
DAYTON, Ohio – Two teenagers who were with a 16-year-old boy who was shot outside a southwest Ohio mall during an attempted robbery face charges in his death.
Police allege the three boys accosted two shoppers who were leaving the Dayton Mall after buying popular, limited-edition athletic shoes Dec. 20. Police said one teen showed a gun and was shot by a shopper who had a concealed weapon permit.
A 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy were held in juvenile detention on charges of murder, aggravated robbery and complicity to commit aggravated robbery. Their attorneys told the Dayton Daily News they are not guilty.
A prosecutor’s spokesman said accomplices can be held responsible for a death during an aggravated robbery under Ohio law.
“A defendant is culpable for any death that occurs during the commission of an aggravated robbery, including the death of an accomplice,” said Greg Flannagan, spokesman for the Montgomery County prosecutor.
A hearing is scheduled for Jan. 16 to determine whether the case is transferred to adult court.
Police declined to release the name of the man who fired the shot that killed Jawaad Jabbar of Middletown.
The attorney for the 16-year-old suspect said lawyers for the youths want to see mall surveillance video that authorities say they have.
“We have a couple of kids being charged right now who have no prior involvement whatsoever in juvenile court,” attorney L. Patrick Mulligan said. “They are wonderful kids. They are involved in sports. … We believe that the facts whether they are presented here or ultimately in adult court will exonerate these two.”