Casper teenager accused of holding Bobby Maher to the ground…

CASPER — A 15-year-old co-defendant accused of throwing 14-year-old Bobby Maher to the ground outside Eastridge Mall and holding him back while another teenager stabbed him Maher has pleaded not guilty to death.

Dominique Antonio Richard Harris entered his plea Wednesday in Natrona County District Court. He entered the courtroom minutes before the hearing began, wearing a red prison jumpsuit, handcuffs and chains. He glanced briefly at the apparent family members sitting in the front row of the courtroom and smiled.

Defense attorney Brandon Booth spoke with his client and Harris appeared engaged, speaking and nodding before the hearing began.

District Court Judge Kerri M. Johnson addressed Harris and read him his rights, then asked him if he understood.

“Yes, Madam,” he said.

The judge also asked him what grade he got in school.

“Up to ninth place,” he replied.

She then asked him if he had ever been diagnosed with a learning disability.

“Not to my knowledge,” he said.

The accusations

Harris, who is being tried as an adult, then read with his attorney the charges against him, including conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, aggravated battery and misdemeanor theft.

“How do you plead?” » asked Judge Johnson.

“Not guilty,” Harris said.

Booth told the court that although his client pleaded not guilty, he reserved the right to change his plea to not guilty by reason of mental illness or mental deficiency, based on certain information discovered in school records.

“Honestly, I don't think I can do it,” he said.

Judge Johnson told District Attorney Dan Itzen and Booth that the September trial date on the calendar was only a “waiting date.”

Preliminary hearing for Harris and co-defendant Jarreth Plunkett included video of the masked couple confronting Maher outside the Eastridge Mall entrance on April 7. The video showed Harris grabbing Maher and throwing him to the ground.

Plunkett, also 15 at the time, then rushed forward as Harris held him and stabbed Maher twice.

Keep the victim on the ground

Harris and Plunkett allegedly stole knives from Target at the mall before their fight with Maher.

Court records show that during an interview with police after the incident, Harris admitted to holding Maher on the ground, but said “it was to make sure the fight was over.”

Harris told police he helped Plunkett during the confrontation because he was angry about an incident that occurred during spring break at an Evansville park. Maher then allegedly asked Plunkett and Harris if they were “freaks” because he saw them leaving a portable bathroom together.

The charge of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder carries a potential sentence of life in prison, and the charges of aggravated assault and battery carry a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.

The misdemeanor theft charge carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $750 fine, or both.

Plunkett was arraigned June 21 and pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect to the four charges he faces, including first-degree murder.

The judge ordered that he undergo a mental examination.

Dale Killingbeck can be contacted at [email protected].