Florida teen, 15, who crashed a stolen car and killed mom-of-three, laughs during court proceedings
OAKLAND PARK, FLORIDA: A 15-year-old teenager from Oakland, who pleaded not guilty to a Broward County crime spree that led to the death of a single mother of three, was laughing during court proceedings on Monday, October 10.
Judge Stacy Ross interrupted the proceedings to ask Jah’Kobe Bessent, “Are you seriously laughing right now?” as he continued to laugh. Bessent even bent over laughing and covered his face with his handcuffed hands during the proceedings. The judge finally ordered the bailiff to remove him from the courtroom, according to NBC.
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Bessent started laughing while his attorneys were asking the judge to grant him 21 more days to complete behavioral testing. The defendant's family members were whispering in the back of the courtroom, telling him to stop being disrespectful. "We are dealing with a 15-year-old,” his attorney said, adding, “That’s part of the reason why I want the state to have more of a snapshot of him because he is very immature.” “Take him out please,” Judge Ross said, adding “I can’t have him in here. Take him out,” reported local10
Bessent, 15, and Jacory Flournoy, 13, are accused of burgling a Fort Lauderdale home while the residents were asleep, before fleeing in a stolen Mercedes-Benz. In a police chase that followed, the duo crashed the vehicle at the intersection of Oakland Park Boulevard and Northwest Ninth Avenue, killing 35-year-old Maria Tellez-Valderrabano.
It is still unclear whether the two will be tried as adults. Currently, Bessent is charged as a juvenile but Broward assistant state attorney Ross Weiner said that he could be charged as an adult before his next court appearance. “I understand the process takes time but I’m happy as long as they’re still behind bars,” Emily Feria, Tellez-Valderrabano’s sister said, adding, “I have not grieved my sister yet. And I will not grieve her until I get justice.” The next date for Bessent's court appearance is scheduled on October 31.