NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – The second suspect in the murder of a popular bartender and musician appeared in a North Charleston courtroom Monday.
Jahmal Green Jr., 18, but who was 17 at the time of Eric Brantley’s killing, was denied bond for murder and armed robbery on Monday.
Authorities found Brantley, who had been fatally shot, on April 20 behind the Sparrow Bar in North Charleston.
During his court appearance on Monday, Green was held in contempt of court after an outburst while the victim’s mother was speaking.
Brantley’s mom, Suzanne Sentner was talking about her son, Eric, during the video court appearance by Green.
“Eric was not just a bartender he was a good man. He was a well-known musician in Charleston and repaired vintage motorcycles. He was intelligent, a deep thinker and had a great sense of humor. He was a kind and compassionate person,” Sentner said in court.
Throughout the statement Green just grinned, shifting back and forth and shaking his head.
But, when Sentner spoke to Green and called him a “coward,” the teenage murder suspect responded.
“500 people attended Eric’s memorial service… How many will attend a memorial service for a coward like you?” Sentner said in court.
That triggered a response by Green, which included an expletive: “Shut the f— up.”
Green was then held in contempt of court by the judge and was warned not to speak out any more during the court appearance.
Green was booked at the Al Cannon Detention Center Sunday morning by Charleston Police on a crime unrelated to the murder.
Police say he was arrested on East Bay Street on petty theft charges when he tried to steal a moped that was set out as bait by police. The moped had a GPS device that detected movement, police said.
Green received a $150,000 bond for the weapons charge.
The first suspect, De’Andre Murphy, also 17 at the time of the alleged crime, was arrested on Wednesday, April 27. He was denied bond on the murder charge and armed robbery charge. He was given a
$500,000 surety bond on the weapons charge.
Two young women were also charged in connection with the case.
Victoria Deas, 20, and London Maybank, also 20, are charged with accessory to murder after the fact.— WNCN contributed to this report
