A St. Louis jury has handed down a guilty verdict to James Blake, 23, for the murder and robbery of 14-year-old Kathon Moore. The daylight incident occurred in the city's West End neighborhood and concluded with a conviction for second-degree murder, second-degree robbery, and two counts of armed criminal action after a three-day trial. The sentencing for Blake is set for yesterday, as reported by the Circuit Attorney's office.
During the trial, evidence revealed that Blake, alongside a co-defendant, confronted Moore as he was riding his bicycle. Moore's offer to sell marijuana escalated to violence, whereupon surveillance footage and eyewitnesses indicated that Moore was thrown to the ground. Following this act, Blake shot Moore in the back of the head, immediately ending his life and then, fled in a white sedan with Moore's marijuana and a handgun. Residents of a nearby apartment complex reported the sound of gunshots and subsequently aided law enforcement in identifying Blake and his associate.
"This prosecution achieves a measure of justice for a murdered child and hopefully brings some sense of solace to the child’s family," stated Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore, "If you take a life, you will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Public safety requires nothing less." According to information from the Circuit Attorney's news release, Blake could be facing up to 30 years in prison on the second-degree murder charge.
The prosecution's team led by Chief Trial Attorney Marvin O. Teer, Jr., and Assistant Circuit Attorneys Tim Wright and John Edwards, succeeded in securing the conviction. The case which has been closely followed by the St. Louis community, has now reached its judicial conclusion with the administration of the jury’s decision.
