DA: Lynn teens will not be tried for murder

SALEM – Prosecutors plan to dismiss murder charges against two Lynn teens whose friend and alleged accomplice was fatally shot during an alleged attempted armed robbery in April.But the two teens have been indicted for armed robbery and gun charges in connection with the incident and will be tried as adults in Salem Superior Court.”Upon further investigation of the facts and circumstance, as well as the law, it was determined that (the new charges) were the appropriate charges,” Carrie Kimball-Monahan, a spokeswoman for Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett, said in an email Thursday. “We will dismiss the murder charges following the Superior Court arraignment.”Jahleel Sanders Williams, 17, and Kevin Sanchez, 15, were each arrested and charged with murder; and attempt to commit a crime, armed robbery; in connection with the April 16 death of 18-year-old Lynn resident Amoy Blake.Officials said Blake, Sanders Williams and Sanchez were trying to rob a 24-year-old Lynn man at gunpoint early that morning when the man pulled out his own licensed gun and fatally shot Blake.Both Sanchez and Sanders Williams were charged under the doctrine of felony murder, which means that as participants in the alleged armed robbery, the teens can be held criminally liable for any deaths that occurred during that felony.And although under 18, both defendants were charged as adults in accordance with state law requiring persons 14 and older and charged with murder to be tried as adults.A grand jury indicted Sanchez and Sanders Williams Thursday as youthful offenders on charges of home invasion; armed assault with intent to rob; and possession of a sawed-off shotgun; Kimball-Monahan said. Since they were indicted as youthful offenders for these charges, the teens will be tried as adults in Salem Superior Court, Kimball-Monahan said.Kimball-Monahan said the arraignment date has not been scheduled, and the defendants remain held without bail on the murder charges.