Murder charges dropped againt juveniles in jewelry robbery | The ... - Fresno Bee
Murder charges have been dropped against four boys accused in the robbery of a Fresno jewelry store that ended in the death of the son of the store owner, the defense attorney for one of the juveniles said Monday.
Attorney Gerald Schwab Jr., who represents one of the boys, said the four admitted at a juvenile court hearing Monday to being involved in the robbery. In exchange, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office has dropped murder charges against them, he said.
A juvenile court judge will decide their sentences for the robbery, and the cases won’t be transferred to adult court, he said.
But Angel Morelos, 18, who police said pulled the trigger, still faces murder charges in Fresno County Superior Court.
He is in jail and is scheduled for a hearing Jan. 16. Morelos is charged with murder, and with the enhancement of personally using a firearm causing death.
On Aug. 5, Morelos and several boys between the ages of 12 and 17 were involved in the robbery of the Stereo and DJ Outlet/Mari’s Jewelry on East Kings Canyon Boulevard.
The store owners tried to stop them as they fled. Christopher Leon held onto Morelos while others at the store tried to chase the accomplices. But Morelos managed to grab his gun and fire over his shoulder, striking Leon in the head and mortally wounding him, police said. He died two hours later at Community Regional Medical Center.
