DETROIT (AP) — Three adults will stand trial in the slaying of a 13-year-old Detroit boy who was beaten and choked to death after he picked up about $80 that had been dropped outside a convenience store.
A preliminary hearing was held Tuesday for 45-year-old Gregory Walker, 43-year-old Lillian Roberts and 26-year-old Ernest Coleman. Coleman is Roberts’ son.
They are to be arraigned July 26 on murder, unlawful imprisonment, kidnapping and torture charges.
Deontae Mitchell was abducted May 31. His body was found June 2 in a field.
Walker is accused of choking Deontae with help from Roberts and Coleman.
The Detroit News reports that defense attorney Christopher Kessel says Walker maintains Deontae’s death was accidental.
Roberts’ attorney Lillian Diallo says her client had nothing to do with hurting Deontae.
