Philly judge weighs if teen linked to killing should be tried as adult
Facing a possible life sentence if convicted in a fatal attempted carjacking, 16-year-old Abdullah Karee Robinson, a 5-foot-3 100-pounder who looks much younger than his years, broke down in tears Tuesday in a Philadelphia courtroom.
Facing a possible life sentence if convicted in a fatal attempted carjacking, 16-year-old Abdullah Karee Robinson, a 5-foot-3 100-pounder who looks much younger than his years, broke down in tears Tuesday in a Philadelphia courtroom.
Robinson is accused of participating in an attempted robbery and carjacking - he allegedly supplied the firearm - that was used in killing DJ Jonathan Merwin, 35, of Brick, N.J., last year.
The question facing Common Pleas Court Judge Lillian H. Ransom: Should the North Philadelphia teen be tried as an adult, or sent back to the Juvenile Court system, where he could be released at age 21 after treatment in a secure facility?
After an emotional 45-minute hearing, Ransom said she would rule by Aug. 2.
The question has taken on new significance as the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that juveniles may not face automatic life prison terms - Pennsylvania's penalty for first- and second-degree murder - is forcing a reevaluation of the sentences of juvenile lifers.
Robinson's lawyer, Richard T. Bobbe III, called the predawn Nov. 22 slaying of Merwin, 35, in the 1300 of West York Street, "nothing short of a tragedy, not only a tragedy for his family but a tragedy for Philadelphia."
Bobbe argued that Robinson's lack of a significant juvenile record and his positive prospects for treatment mean his case should be returned to Juvenile Court.
"Everyone I talked to is shocked that Abdullah was involved in anything that could come to this kind of outcome," Bobbe said.
About 10 people sat in the gallery supporting Robinson, including his parents, stepfather, grandmother, and siblings.
Just feet away, behind Assistant District Attorney Brett Furber, sat the grieving family of Merwin, who was engaged to the mother of his 6-year-old son.
Merwin's mother, Debra, urged the judge to try Robinson as an adult. She talked of her son's years as an emergency medical technician.
"He had no regard for his life," Merwin said, referring to Robinson. "I wish this were a nightmare, because then I could wake up."
Furber argued that Robinson's lack of a prior record belied his school record showing he was suspended several times and then expelled for fighting.
According to Furber, Merwin came to Philadelphia the night of Nov. 21 to help another DJ with lighting for a party in a neighborhood a few blocks north of Temple University where many students live off-campus.
Court records indicate that between 2 and 2:30 a.m., Merwin and a friend were driving to another party in the 2300 block of North Park Avenue in North Philadelphia when they heard gunshots and changed their minds.
What happened next is unclear, but at 4:30 a.m., Philadelphia police and Philadelphia Housing Authority officers responding to a call about a shooting on York Street found Merwin's body.
Furber said Merwin apparently had several drinks and decided to "sleep it off" in his 2014 Mustang before driving home. Surveillance cameras showed three males approach the car and pull Merwin out.
After a few minutes, one of them shot Merwin five times.
Unable to start the car, the three assailants fled.
Merwin's backpack was found in an alley between York and Dauphin Streets, containing his Apple MacBook Pro laptop, DJ equipment, and a semiautomatic pistol and two magazines.
Police later found a partly loaded silver Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol. Furber said police matched the Hornady 9mm casings recovered near Merwin's body and near where Merwin and his friend heard gunshots earlier.
Furber said Robinson's fingerprints were found inside the Mustang.
According to court records, Robinson was arrested Dec. 1 after Tiseim Williams, 20, admitted participating in the attempted robbery. Williams said Robinson brought the silver gun and handed it to a third person, who shot and killed Merwin.
Williams, like Robinson, has been charged with murder, conspiracy, and robbery-related crimes. Furber said the third person has not been charged because there is no evidence other than statements by Williams and Robinson that he was the shooter.
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