ST. THOMAS — Two 17-calendar year-olds facial area the risk of lifestyle in jail without parole subsequent a deadly daylight theft that occurred in December 2021. 

Akenda Weeks and Jahmar Lewis experience a full of 28 costs each and every, together with 1st-diploma murder, tried 1st-degree murder, kidnapping for the reasons of theft, grand larceny and reckless endangerment. The offenses of 1st-degree murder and kidnapping for the intent of theft just about every carry possible lifetime sentences. 

Months and Lewis are among the 4 people billed for the armed robbery which occurred at the Glitter’s jewelry retail outlet in Havensight Shopping mall on Saturday, December 04. The incident, which took location at all over 11:00 a.m. remaining two persons critically wounded. 1 of the victims, 56-12 months-outdated Gregorianna Julien finally succumbed to her accidents weeks afterwards. 

The 9-web site possible result in actuality sheet reveals that police reviewed surveillance footage of a black Honda Odyssey getting into the purchasing centre and coming to a quit close to the jewelry shop, angled towards the exit. Three masked men ended up then observed exiting the automobile, two with guns in hand. The to start with suspect, later discovered as Micaiah Cozier carried a handgun, although an additional suspect identified as Jahmar Lewis carried a very long gun. A 3rd, unnamed suspect was demonstrated carrying a bag, when Akenda Months was later on decided to be the driver who remained in the car. 

According to the probable trigger simple fact sheet, the a few males had been found speedily operating into the jewelry retail store and pulling the now deceased Julien back within in opposition to her will. Julien, who was reportedly searching at the time was leaving the retail outlet when the gentlemen entered. The gentlemen were noticed exiting the retail store and managing back into the van seconds later. Courtroom paperwork reveal that Lewis turned all around to fire back again into the store, discharging a number of rounds ahead of the car sped off. As component of investigations, police learned that the suspects took jewellery valued at around $18,000 through the robbery.

Law enforcement afterwards situated the getaway auto unoccupied and with the engine running in the driveway of an deserted constructing in Frenchman’s Bay. Subsequent investigations uncovered that the car was a rental that experienced been noted stolen on November 24th, 2021. Law enforcement also uncovered that the vehicle was formerly rented to Akenda Weeks in September. The VIPD was later on knowledgeable that the suspects experienced switched getaway vehicles and this tip led them in the path of a single of the other suspects. 3 of the 4 suspects had been also identified via the surveillance footage. 

Investigations into the stunning criminal offense identified that the 4 individuals — just one adult and three minors — experienced been scheduling the theft for about a month. It was discovered that the unnamed suspect and Weeks stole the minivan in November to use in the fee of the fatal criminal offense. Law enforcement also uncovered that Weeks had been to the retailer numerous times in the month top up to the theft and had placed jewellery on layaway. According to the truth sheet, the unnamed suspect later admitted to carrying the bag utilized to acquire the stolen loot which the 4 afterwards split amid on their own, advertising some on the street. 

Although the 4 were to begin with slapped with armed theft charges on December 17th, 2021, the matter grew to become a felony murder scenario right after Julien succumbed on January 2nd, 2022. At a court hearing on Wednesday, Brenda Scales questioned that bail for Lewis and Weeks continue being as set in the volume of $1 million. The Assistant V.I. Legal professional Basic argued that the defendants are flight threats as they face the relaxation of their life in jail. However, lawyer Andy Johnson who appeared on behalf of the minors insisted that the determine was “inherently excessive.” Johnson asserted that if a proverbial hat was passed all over to every person listening in on the listening to, it would not come near to furnishing a million dollars. He went more to suggest that these types of a figure sends the message that a loaded defendant can bond out whilst a inadequate just one can not. 

While Scales doubled down on her ask for for a million-dollar bail, Judge Paula Norkaitis eventually lowered the determine to $500,000 each individual, with no 10 per cent provision. The judge affirmed that no third-occasion custodian would be appropriate adequate to mitigate the extraordinary risk the minors pose to the group. As these kinds of, if Months and Lewis safe launch, they will just about every be put on 24/7 house arrest with electronic monitoring. Both of those defendants are strictly prohibited from getting any type of make contact with with co-defendants, witnesses and the surviving victim in the make any difference. They will next show up in court docket on March 18th.

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By Amalia