Posted on 02/01/2006 5:30:51 PM PST by NCjim
DURHAM, N.C. -- A shouting match between family members of a suspect in a fatal mall shooting and the victim caused officials to clear a Durham courtroom Wednesday morning.
Lamar Bass, 17, was arrested Tuesday afternoon and charged in connection with the Dec. 26 death of 16-year-old Lazarren "Qwan" McLean.
During Bass' first court appearance, where his bond was set at $5 million, McLean's mother and Bass's grandmother began shouting at each other, causing bailiffs to clear the courtroom to ease the situation. The screaming continued in the hallway and even onto the street.
The argument began when Bass' grandmother expressed concern about the high bond, reportedly to be the highest in Durham County history.
"I don't blame the children from being in gangs, because when their parents are gone, they need something to belong to," Alice Suggs, Bass' grandmother said after the disturbance.
Police believe Bass may be a member of a gang, but does not believe the victim was.
Bass faces charges of murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and going armed to the terror of the public in connection.
His arrest comes after a month-long search and numerous tips to Durham police. One of those tips led police officers to Pinecrest Apartments Tuesday afternoon, where Bass -- who was reported as saying he would not give up without a fight -- surrendered to authorities without incident.
"We apologize for (the argument)," McLean's grandmother, Paulette Thorpe, later said. "We couldn't hold ourselves down because we could not believe what Lamar's grandmother had the nerve to say."
(Excerpt) Read more at wral.com ...
Unbelievable.
Wonder how loud a victim of a fatal shooting can yell.
I suppose they mean "between family members of a suspect in a fatal mall shooting and family members of the victim".
What the country needs is a Secretary of Appropriate Behavior.
The victim was not available for comment.
"A shouting match between family members of a suspect in a fatal mall shooting and the victim"
A rather one-sided shouting match, I'm sure.
Had trouble with the ebonics.
I wonder if the writer of the article realizes the victim was unable to attend...
Is this an actual crime?
I nominate ... Jocelyn Elders!
"Is this an actual crime?"
Yes, it's a more blatant variety of brandishing.
I was wondering the same thing.
No it's not. We are talking about Durham here..
What an AMAZING charge. Thanks. :-P
"What an AMAZING charge."
It can be very practical, if, for instance, you have armed gangs scaring the crap out of shoppers at a mall. It's the same as brandishing a firearm (basically waving a gun around in a threatening manner, illegal in most states), but on a larger scale.
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