CASPER — A 15-year-old co-defendant accused of slamming 14-year-old Bobby Maher to the ground outside the Eastridge Mall and holding him down while another teen stabbed Maher to death has pleaded not guilty.
Dominique Antonio Richard Harris entered the plea Wednesday in Natrona County District Court. He walked into the courtroom minutes before the session began in a red jail jumpsuit, handcuffs and shackles. He glanced briefly at apparent family members sitting on the front row in the courtroom and smiled.
Defense Attorney Brandon Booth conferred with his client and Harris appeared engaged, talking and nodding his head before the hearing began.
District Court Judge Kerri M. Johnson addressed Harris and read him is rights, then asked if he understood.
“Yes, Ma’am,” he said.
The judge also asked him what grade he had completed in school.
“All the way to ninth,” he replied.
She then asked if he had ever been diagnosed with a learning disability.
“Not that I’m aware of,” he said.
The Charges
Harris, who is being tried as an adult, then read along with his attorney the charges against him that include conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, aggravated battery and assault, and misdemeanor theft.
“How do you plead?” Judge Johnson asked.
“Not guilty,” Harris said.
Booth told the court that while his client is pleading not guilty, he reserved the right to change the plea to not guilty by reason of mental illness or deficiency based on some information he’s uncovered in school records.
“Frankly, I don’t think I will get there,” he said.
Judge Johnson told District Attorney Dan Itzen and Booth that the September trial date on the calendar was just a “holding date.”
A preliminary hearing for both Harris and co-defendant Jarreth Plunkett included a video of the masked pair confronting Maher outside an Eastridge Mall entrance April 7. The video showed Harris grabbing Maher and slamming him to the ground.
Plunkett, also 15 at the time, then swooped in as Harris held him and stabbed Maher twice.
Holding Victim Down
Both Harris and Plunkett are alleged to have stolen knives from Target at the mall prior to their fight with Maher.
Court records show that during a police interview after the incident, Harris admitted to holding Maher down, but stated the thought “it was to make sure the fight was over.”
Harris told police he helped Plunkett in the confrontation because he was mad about an incident that happened over spring break at a park in Evansville. Maher had then allegedly asked Plunkett and Harris if they were “freaks” because he saw them exit a portable bathroom together.
The conspiracy to commit first-degree murder charge carries a potential penalty of life in prison, and the aggravated assault and battery charge a maximum penalty of not more than 10 years in prison and a fine of not more than $10,000 or both.
The misdemeanor theft charge carries a penalty of not more than six months in jail and $750 fine or both.
Plunkett was arraigned June 21 and pleaded both not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental illness or deficiency to the four charges he faces, including first-degree murder.
The judge ordered he undergo a mental exam.
Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.
