The 15-year-old accused of killing comedian Jordan “Dutty Heart” Jones pleaded not guilty to nine charges during an arraignment at the V.I. Superior Court Monday morning on St. Croix.
The arraignment came immediately after Angelo Javier Carmona appeared virtually before Magistrate Judge Yolan Brow-Ross for an advice of rights hearing. Carmona’s attorney, Assistant Territorial Public Defender Leslie Davis, asked that he be allowed to post his half million-dollar bail with an unsecured bond and for the sealing of any court documents that contain identifying information about Carmona’s proposed third-party custodian.
Assistant Attorney General Amie Simpson strongly objected to allowing the unsecured bond, calling Carmona a danger to the community and, given the serious nature of the charges, a flight risk.
The charges against Carmona include two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree assault, two counts of third-degree assault, reckless endangerment, first-degree robbery, unauthorized possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, and possession of ammunition. Brow-Ross told him Monday that either of the murder charges carry a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Brow-Ross said she was “not necessarily inclined” to allow the unsecured bond but agreed to seal certain documents, though she noted “serious concerns” with the address of the third-party custodian. Both Davis and Simpson asked that he be transferred from the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility back to the territory’s Youth Rehabilitation Center.
The case is set to be heard by Superior Court Judge Douglas Brady.
Carmona was first arrested on June 5, hours after Jones and one other person were shot during an alleged robbery shortly after midday on the Christiansted boardwalk. Jones later succumbed to his injuries at Juan F. Luis Hospital. Carmona appeared in family court for a transfer hearing last week, after which he was transferred to adult court and re-arrested.
Jones’s death shocked the St. Croix community and prompted an outpouring of grief and outrage. This year’s July 4 fireworks show in Frederiksted will be held in his honor.
