(Cleveland) - There were court dates Wednesday for two of the three teenage suspects in the murder of Cleveland Police Detective James Skernivitz, and of Scott Dingess, who was reportedly an informant in a case on which Skernivitz had been working.
18-year-old David McDaniel had a plea of not guilty entered on his behalf in Cleveland Municipal Court. Prosecutors asked for at least a $2 million bond, while a public defender asked for leniency, given that McDaniel has no priors on his record. The judge set bond at $3 million, and returned him to the Cuyahoga County Jail. McDaniel is due back in court next week, but it's likely that before then, his case will go before a Cuyahoga County Grand Jury.
The 15-year-old suspect in the murder was in juvenile court on Wednesday. He pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors said in court that the boy had told police at the time of his arrest that he was involved in the shooting of the detective. The 15-year-old, and a 17-year-old who was in court Tuesday, could both be bound over to be tried as adults.
Meanwhile, Det. Skernivitz's funeral has been moved to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, home of the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was to have been held this Friday at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, but was moved to the arena because of social distancing issues, and the expected large crowd of law enforcement personnel who will attend the funeral. It will be Friday at 10 at the Fieldhouse. The detective's wake will be Thursday from 2-8 p.m. at A. Ripepi and Sons in Middleburg Heights.
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(Photo courtesy Cleveland Police)
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