Deandre Charles. Photo: VIN News.

Teen Pleads Not Guilty for Murder of Rabbi Raksin

A 15 year-old Miami high school student entered a not guilty plea on Monday at this arraignment on charges that he shot and killed a visiting rabbi from Crown Heights during a botched daylight robbery attempt in August of 2014.

From VIN News by Glen Silver:

The Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that Deandre Charles entered the plea in Miami-Dade Circuit Court less than a week after a grand jury handed down an indictment charging him with first-degree murder.

Prosecutors contend that Charles shot and killed Rabbi Joseph Raskin—-who was in town visiting family at the time—-on August 9, 2014 as he was walking to Bais Menachem Chabad for Sabbath.

Rabbi Raskin died from a single .40 caliber bullet to the chest.

Raskin’s murder sent shockwaves through the predominantly Orthodox Jewish community, which quickly posted a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of his assailant.

Charles, a Northland High School student with little prior record to speak of, remains in custody and will be held until trial.

Miami-Dade prosecutors have yet to release full evidence against Charles, though at a press conference held last week it was revealed that DNA evidence and eyewitness testimony led to Charles’ arrest.

Charles’ attorney, Adam Goodman, said, “Everyone wants to know some facts about this case. Mr. Charles does. I do. Right now, Mr. Charles is sitting in jail not knowing any of the evidence against him.”

12 Comments

  • Hey

    Prosecute the low life all the way to the electric chair. Just look at the way the slimy lawyer is talking. The punk knows full well what he has done. Erase all evil from the face of the earth.

  • 2 things:

    1) what is it supposed to mean that the guy: “entered a not guilty plea” ??

    2) if the guy’s attorney is saying that right now the guy is “sitting in jail”, SO BE IT, let the guy stay there for the rest of his life!!!

    • Milhouse

      1. What don’t you understand? The accused was charged with the crime, and pleaded not guilty. What else did you expect him to do?

      2. How do you know he’s guilty? There has been no trial, the evidence has not been tested by an independent finder of fact, so we have no basis for determining whether he deserves to be in prison.

    • K

      1. Are you experienced at prosecuting homicides which gives you the qualifications to pronounce that this is a hard case to prove?

      2. If indeed you are experienced and therefore qualified, are you familiar with ALL of the State’s evidence, which allows you to assess the strength of the case?

      3. Are you familiar with cell-phone triangulation which can pin-point the location of the accused within one block of the crime scene at the time of the crime?

      4. Are you familiar with the accused’s DNA evidence – apparently found on the victim and at the crime scene?

      5. I am amazed that someone who knows so little can stand up and proclaim an opinion (of EITHER guilt or innocence)!

  • What !?!?!?

    Such behavior shall cause death and he was just forteen just! Thats nuts !!!! I cant!!