Second Chester teen accused of shooting horse, attempted murder of elderly victim, remains jailed
The second Chester 16-year-old accused of a summer crime spree that included holding guns at the heads of two elderly victims, the shooting of a horse and the theft of guns from a coach will remain jailed after waiving a scheduled bond hearing Thursday.
Jaden Hampton is charged with attempted murder, three counts of burglary, two armed robberies, grand larceny, weapons charges and assault. He has been in a state jail for juvenile offenders since his arrest in July, but is being prosecuted as an adult because several of the alleged crimes carry sentences longer than 15 years in prison upon convicted.
In a brief court hearing Thursday, Hampton’s lawyer, Jack Swerling of Columbia, waived Hampton’s appearance and did not ask for a bond hearing. That means Hampton can ask again in coming weeks for bond.
Jon-Michael Sanders, 16, of Chester, and an alleged gang member and former Chester High School athlete, also is jailed in the cases. He, too, is also being prosecuted as an adult.
Sanders’ lawyer, Barney Giese of Columbia, has said in court that Sanders is innocent, and the only evidence prosecutors have against him is a statement Hampton gave police that implicated Sanders.
Prosecutors say they have physical evidence and are seeking DNA samples from both suspects.
A third juvenile pleaded guilty in juvenile court to a lesser role in the horse shooting and will be sentenced Friday in Family Court, said Karen Fryar, Sixth Circuit assistant solicitor.
Sanders and Hampton were caught “red-handed” breaking into another house in July, prosecutors have alleged, after stealing guns from the Chester High baseball coach and the other crimes during which elderly victims were terrified. One of the guns stolen from the coach allegedly was used to kill the horse.
Andrew Dys: 803-329-4065
This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 9:04 PM with the headline "Second Chester teen accused of shooting horse, attempted murder of elderly victim, remains jailed."