Fourteen-year-old Zaveon Marks has pleaded not guilty to the murder of 16-year-old Zarious Fair.
Marks is accused of shooting and killing Fair in a botched robbery in Peoria's East Bluff neighborhood in June. He’s being charged as an adult with first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Eighteen-year-old Doyle Nelson is also charged with murder in connection to the shooting. He was present, but prosecutors said he didn't kill Fair.
Eleanor Young was Fair’s aunt. She hopes he’s remembered as a happy kid.
“And he got along with everybody. He was very peaceful He wouldn’t have harmed a flea. That’s why I don’t understand why they harmed him," Young said.
She said she's glad the case was moved out of juvenile court.
“He’s 14 years old with a gun. He took a 16-year-old’s life, for no reason. Zarious had nothing for him, to give, but love," Young said.
If convicted of murder, both Marks and Nelson could face 35 to 75 years in prison. Marks’ jury trial is set for October 21.
Copyright 2021 WCBU. To see more, visit WCBU. 9(MDIwMjIxMDA0MDE0Mzk4NDIzNjA0OGQ5Yg001))
