JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Three teenagers accused of leading police on a fatal car chase in a stolen SUV after allegedly holding a family hostage in July made their final appearance in juvenile court Thursday.
According to police, 15-year-old Vincent Dobbins, 16-year-old Christopher Powell, 14-year-old Jamari Fields and 17-year-old Michael Blakeney robbed a Briarwood family at gunpoint.
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Police said four intruders entered an open garage of a home in the 9000 block of Jaybird Circle, pulling a gun on two sons and forcing them into the house.
Investigators said the attackers tied up four family members, robbed them and then took off in the family's Lexus SUV.
Almost two hours later, police spotted the stolen SUV on Southside Boulevard and pursued the vehicle, which avoided stop-sticks and veered onto a dead-end street of the Bank of America corporate campus, just north of the Avenues Mall.
The pursuit ended when officers opened fire, killing the fourth suspect -- Blakeney.
After being arrested, the teens spouted off, telling media to talk to their lawyers and get cameras out of their faces.
However, in court on Thursday, before Judge Soud, Powell's response to the judge was barely audible.
The suspects won't be considered children in the eyes of the law after Thursday. They face charges, as adults, in connection to Blakeney's death. All but Dobbins are charged with second-degree murder.
"I'm sure that your lawyer has explained to you that you are being treated as an adult under Florida law," Soud said in court.
Channel 4's Melanie Lawson reported the Juvenile Detention Center is about education and rehabilitation because the offender gets out once he turns 21. The offender would then be placed in a program based on his crime and released based on how he progresses.
The charges of murder, kidnapping, armed burglary and robbery mean the teens don't qualify for that program.
"You will appear before a first appearance judge, and a matter of bond will be considered," Soud said in court.
The teens' first appearance in district court is scheduled for Friday morning, beginning a process that could end with adult-sized prison sentences for the three teens.
If convicted, the teens could get life in prison.
Previous Stories:
- July 18, 2006: Teens Accused Of Home Invasion Could Face Murder Charges