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Dad Charged In Son's Execution

Neighbors Say Father Shot Son In Field

POSTED: Monday, November 16, 2009
UPDATED: 5:57 pm EST November 18, 2009

The family of slain 15-year-old Jamar Pinkney Jr. was overcome with emotions Wednesday as his father was led into court and arraigned on first-degree murder charges in his death.

Police said Jamar Pinkney Sr. forced his son, Jamar Pinkney Jr., to get naked and then he led him out of his mother's Highland Park home Monday and shot him execution-style in the head in a nearby field.

Jamar Pinkney Sr. was charged with first-degree murder, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison without chance for parole. He was also charged with three counts of felonious assault and felony firearm.

Highland Park Judge Bridgette Officer arraigned the 37-year-old on the charges Wednesday afternoon in 30th District Court. Jamar Pinkney Sr. pleaded guilty at the arraignment.

"In the event that there's evidence that he did do this...that's something that either a jury or a judge would have to take a good, hard look at," said the defendant's attorney, Corbett Edge O'Meara.

A judge ordered the father held without bond and set a preliminary examination for Dec. 1.

"You seen the look on this face, no expressions or nothing, just a cold-hearted murder," said one of the victim's family members outside the courtroom Wednesday.

The victim's mother and her sister told police that Jamar Pinkney Sr. came into the home Monday afternoon with a gun and began arguing with his son.

Family members said the argument stemmed from a confession made by the son. According to Jamar Pinkney Jr.'s family, the teen told his mother that he'd touched his 3-year-old half-sister inappropriately at his father's Detroit home.

The toddler is his father's daughter with another woman.

Jamar Pinkney Jr.'s aunt Yolanda Cherry told Local 4 she was in the home during the argument.

"He beat my nephew real bad in the head, where he had knots like he had been in a boxing ring," said Cherry.

When Cherry tried to intervene, she said, the father pulled out a gun.

"I ran down the street to get police down here and I heard a gunshot," said Cherry.

Witnesses at the scene told Local 4 that they saw Jamar Pinkney Sr. order the naked teen out of the home and to an empty field.

A woman who did not want her identity revealed told Local 4 what she saw.

"He brought him out the house, he walked him over there and said, 'Get on the ground,' and he's like, 'No, Daddy, no, Daddy,' and next thing you know, he grabbed his head and he shot him," said the witness.

The witness said the father calmly got into his vehicle and drove away.

"He was calm and drove off like a regular person, like he didn't do anything, and I am like, 'wow,'" said the witness.

Police were looking for the father after he fled the area. He was caught a few hours later.

"Whatever my grandson did there, there is nothing in this world that was worth taking his life. He got him down on his knees and killed him," said the boy's grandfather.

"No individual has the right to exact the death penalty on another, no matter how reprehensible the behavior. That is why we have laws," said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy.

Jamar was a sophomore at Martin Luther King High School. Family members said he was active in sports.

Jamar Pinkney Jr.'s aunt Janice Burkes said she doesn't believe the allegations of molestation because her nephew was a sweet boy and very good with kids.

"No I can't believe that I think. It’s a bunch of crap," said Burkes.

A candlelight vigil for the victim was held Tuesday evening in Highland Park. His funeral has been set for Monday.

A fund has been set up to help the family with burial expenses. Donations can be made at the Charter One Bank branch in Highland Park.

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