Sept. 22, 2005 — Kareem J. Brown and Keelo A. Jacobs, who were arrested Sept. 15 in connection with the Sept. 12 stabbing death of 19-year-old Jahleel Halliday at Lockhart Gardens Shopping Center, pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of first-degree murder, aiding and abetting first-degree murder and possession of a dangerous weapon.
At an advice of rights hearing last week, police Det. Lionel Bess said Brown and Jacobs were identified by witnesses as having been involved in the murder near the Foot Locker store at Lockhart Gardens.
According to Bess’ testimony, the witnesses said they saw Brown and Jacobs approach the Foot Locker around 2 p.m. Sept. 12 — Brown with a knife in his hand. Because the witnesses knew all three young men, they went inside to warn Halliday that people were coming after him.
When Halliday asked Brown and Jacobs what was going on, a fight started at the entrance of the store, where merchandise racks made it hard for witnesses to see exactly what happened next, Bess testified. He added that while one witness claimed Brown gave the knife to Jacobs prior to the fight, the racks apparently did not allow anyone to see who actually stabbed Halliday.
After the stabbing, witnesses told Bess, Brown and Jacobs fled the scene. Halliday was taken via ambulance to Roy Lester Schneider Hospital, where he died shortly after arrival.
Bail was set at $250,000 for each of the two individuals, both 18 years old and residents of Oswald Harris Court. The money has not been posted yet, so Brown and Jacobs remain in jail. If bail is posted, Jacobs and Brown will be put on house arrest. In addition, Brown would have to report to a probation officer daily because he is a senior at Charlotte Amalie High School.
Judge Leon Kendall, who presided over Thursday’s hearing, told Brown’s lawyer, John Benham, that Nov. 27 is the deadline to file all motions, dispositions and pleas.

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