DARLINGTON COUNTY, N.C. — A Chesterfield County teen charged in a fight that led to the death of 9-year-old Brody Langley was granted bond Wednesday. It comes as county leaders consider a curfew for teens after several recent shootings involving young people.
17-year-old Bryson Deese entered the courtroom Wednesday.
He had a black eye and nine staples in his head after a jail attack, his attorney said.
Deese is one of several young people facing murder and other charges in Brody’s death.
Detectives said the boy’s parents brought him to a fight that happened after midnight last month at a Chesterfield County gas station.
“Mr. Deese brought a 9mm to a fist fight,” said Solicitor Mike Burch. “It was ultimately used to kill a nine-year-old. We are asking that no bond been set today.”
Deese dropped the gun he brought. Another juvenile picked it up and fired the shot that killed Langley, officials said.
However, the defense argued Deese had no intentions of using the gun.
“Please, please, please, do not leave what is a kid sitting in the jail indefinitely when there is an acknowledgement that he was not the murderer,” said defense attorney Montrio Belton.
The judge set a $100,000 bond in this case.
Chesterfield County Council and law enforcement will talk Friday about a possible countywide teen curfew.
“It’s just a tool for law enforcement that we can monitor who’s out and about,” said Sheriff Cambo Streater.
A curfew could help deter violence committed by and against kids, he said.
“Yes, it is a big deal, and it’s time to take seriously because it is an epidemic,” Streater said.
Council would be responsible for drafting any curfew ordinance.
VIDEO: 7 teens face judge in death of 9-year-old boy in Chesterfield County
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
