Man Charged In Pepper Spray Death Asks For Bond

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) -  One of the men charged in a pepper spraying death at a truck stop last month went before a Broward Judge Thursday afternoon hoping to be given bond.

Broward Sheriff's Office detectives said 21-year-old Kenyatta Grant was involved in a robbery that turned into murder. Investigators said Grant and another man tried to steal a gold chain/medallion from a man attending Jamaica night at a U.S. 27 truck stop in Weston. BSO identified the other man as Ronnie Tyson.

Investigators said Tyson was captured on surveillance spraying the crowd with a a substance in a canister.

An innocent bystander, Kimberlyn Clarke of Plantation, was overcome by the pepper spray fumes and collapsed on the ground. Clarke later died at the hospital.

BSO detectives testified that Grant was identified in a line-up by the robbery victim. They said Grant pawned the medallion stolen from that victim.

Grant denies he was at the truck stop.

BSO detective John Curcio testified that when he questioned Grant about pawning the medallion, Grant gave them a different story.

"He claims he met a couple at the swap shop who sold him the medallion and that he in turn sold it for $33," said Curcio.

Grant's parents testified he is not a flight risk and has had minor run-ins with the law. His mother, Chantell Hamilton stated she is a professor and works from home.

"I can guarantee he will make every court appointment he has," said Hamilton.

Her husband, who said he is a police officer in the Turks and Caicos Islands, said he will ensure that Grant doesn't try to flee the United States.

"I'll ensure he remains here. I've been a police officer for 21 years and my integrity is what I go by," said Kendal Grant.

Grant's attorney said prosecutors will have a hard time proving pepper spray killed Kimberlyn Clarke.

"To say it's foreseeable someone could die from mace, I think isn't logical," said Jim Lewis. "It's the same kind of mace law enforcement uses in their arrests,"

Prosecutors said the victim's mother does not want Grant to get bond.

"They didn't go to kill someone, but they did and they have to pay the consequences," Marjorie Crossfield.

Judge Carlos Rebollo said he will rule on the matter at a later date.