Trio accused of killing Kingston Frazier denied bond

Mississippi Clarion Ledger

The three teenagers accused in the shooting death of 6-year-old Kingston Frazier were denied bond in Madison County Justice Court Monday.

Ebony Archie, center, mother of Kingston Frazier, a 6-year-old boy who was found shot dead May 18, in his mother's stolen car along a no-outlet road in Gluckstadt, Miss., is led out of the Madison County Justice Court by relatives in Canton, Miss., Monday May 22, 2017, following the initial appearances before a judge of three young men charged with capital murder.

Dwan Wakefield and DeAllen Washington, both 17, and Byron McBride, 19, are all charged with capital murder in the death of the child who became the subject of an Amber Alert after his mother's car was stolen from a Kroger parking lot early Thursday morning.

Jackson Police Department Cmdr. Tyree Jones said Friday that JPD received a call at 1:28 a.m. "to assist Hinds County with an auto theft and child abduction in the Kroger parking lot." The first officer arrived on the scene at 1:32 a.m. JPD tweeted out an alert at 2:28 a.m. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation was notified at approximately 2:45 a.m. The Amber Alert went out at 4:06 a.m.

Ebony Archie, Kingston's mother, sat in the courtroom, wearing sunglasses with her head down. Her mother, Ruby Archie, could be seen murmuring in Ebony Archie's ear and stroking her hair.

Family filled the crowded courtroom as both Kingston's family and the families of the accused were in attendance. The hearing was held by closed-circuit video, and cameras were not allowed in the courtroom for security reasons. The alleged killers have received threats, officials said.

Dressed in red jumpsuits, Wakefield, Washington and McBride appeared on camera separately before Judge Bruce McKinley, their hands shackled in front of them.

Wakefield appeared first, his eyes red. His family says they have hired an attorney, but public defender Gregory Weber stood at his side during the initial appearance.

A senior at Ridgeland High School, Wakefield was the starting quarterback last season. He has a 1-year-old son.

As he was denied bond, family members wiped away tears.

McBride appeared next, also represented by Weber. He responded, "Yes, sir," to McKiney's questions. When asked where he currently lives, McBride said he could not remember the address.

He told the court he has a conviction for commercial burglary in Holmes County. He is unemployed, not married and does not own a car or have a bank account.

Washington, a senior at Northwest Rankin, does not have any prior convictions. However, he has been indicted for armed robbery. He was out on bond at the time of the slaying.

Washington's attorney, Warren Martin, objected to Madison County having jurisdiction in the case. McKinley overruled the objection.

Hinds County District Attorney Robert Schuler Smith said the county will also pursue charges against the teens. What those charges are was unclear.

"Absolutely, charges will be filed in Hinds County," he said. "We're all waiting for accurate information on this case to move forward."

Madison County Prosecutor Pamela Hancock said the state would seek the death penalty against McBride, who is alleged to have pulled the trigger when Kingston was fatally shot multiple times. Outside the courtroom, District Attorney Michael Guest said his office will first talk to the families before a final decision is made.

"He is eligible," Guest said. "As the investigation concludes and we have a chance to look at everything and sit down and meet with the family, we'll make that firm decision. I try to separate my personal opinions from my professional opinions as to what needs to be done in this case.

"I think there is a great desire to see justice served in this case and, if at the conclusion of all the evidence being gathered, it appears justice will be served by seeking the death penalty then my office will definitely go forward on that."

McBride's father, Byron McBride Sr., yelled at reporters after the hearing:

"My son did not kill that baby! He did not kill that baby, but y'all gonna kill my son!"

None of the three entered a plea on Monday. Each received a preliminary hearing date for June 26.

Read:What happened to Kingston Frazier?

Kingston Frazier (left), 6, was brutally shot to death after his mother's car was stolen from the Kroger on I-55. Byron McBride (top right), Dwan Wakefield (center), and DeAllen Washington have been charged with capital murder in his death.

Kingston was set to graduate from kindergarten on Thursday, the day that he was kidnapped and ultimately killed.

Contact Sarah Fowler at sfowler@gannett.com or 601-961-7303. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter. ContactTherese Apel at 601-961-7236 ortapel@gannett.com. Follow her onFacebook andTwitter.

FUNERAL BENEFIT ACCOUNT

The Mississippi Center for Police and Sheriffs has opened a benefit account with Trustmark to help pay for funeral costs for 6-year-old Kingston Frazier.

Donations toward this account can be made at any Trustmark location.

For more information, contact Shannon Fuller at 601-665-6947 with the Mississippi Center for Police and Sheriffs.