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Hearing Held For Teen Accused Of Fatally Shooting 10-Year-Old

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A hearing was held Wednesday for a teen accused of fatally shooting a 10-year-old boy who was caught in crossfire outside of his home in March.

On Monday, 18-year-old Ernest Rowell appeared in bond court.

"I got to call my mom to see if they will get me a lawyer," the teen said before the judge.

On Wednesday, however, it was Rowell's mother who appeared for him at the juvenile court. The attorney waived his right to stand before the judge.

Rowell is being charged with the death of 10-year-old Marlon Eason. According to police, on March 24, Eason was shot in the head while playing basketball outside of his Overtown home.

"I will never forget him, I will never forgive him, we're still hurting. The boy was really special to us," his grandmother said.

Four and a half months later Miami Police arrested 15-year-old Kahlid Newkirk and Rowell.

According to the arrest affidavit Eason's mother, at one point, contacted the suspects and documents say they told her about their involvement. Records show the boys said they were actually targeting a rival gang member's car.

"The nature of the allegations in the affidavit provides enough probable cause to keep him in secure detention," Judge Orlando Prescott said.

Rowell, who was 17 at the time of the shooting, will be staying at juvenile detention center while he awaits his next hearing. Meanwhile his mother and several family members who were present Wednesday walked away with nothing to say.

The state will now investigate the case and determine if they will file official charges. If they do, they will have to decide whether to charge him as a juvenile or as an adult.

The next hearing is scheduled for August 28.

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