Prosecutor: Suspects in robbery had accomplice

Authorities claim a cook opened a door to allow robbers to enter the restaurant.

A cook at the KFC restaurant at 2101 William St. left the door open July 21 for two juvenile robbers, prosecutors have charged.

The two 15-year-olds charged in the Cape Girardeau case, where nearly $2,200 was stolen, will go to trial on first-degree robbery and armed criminal action, Associate Circuit Judge Gary Kamp decided Tuesday. They were certified to be charged as adults on Sept. 14.

Semaj B. Lumas of 1116 S. Ranney St. and Isaiah M. Lane of 514 Howell St. made brief appearances Tuesday before Kamp. They waived a preliminary hearing, and they will appear in circuit court on Oct. 17.

The robbers entered the KFC about 9:30 p.m. on July 21 after Adam C. Norris, 34, of 501 Bellevue St., left the back door open, according to a sworn statement from Cape Girardeau police Cpl. Don Perry. An accomplice, whose name was withheld because he has not been charged, told Perry that Norris told him where the safe was and that he would leave the door open.

Both robbers covered their faces. One held a handgun.

Sought part of the money

The accomplice stated that "Norris wanted a percentage of the money and some powder cocaine for his assistance."

Norris also faces first-degree robbery and armed criminal action charges.

The charges against Norris surprised his employers. "We never suspected him to be the suspect in the robbery," said Adil Shabandri, district manager for KFC.

Norris disappeared for a couple of days after the robbery, Shabandri said. When contacted, "he said he had some people behind him trying to kill him," Shabandri said.

Norris was then given a job at the Jackson KFC. He held that job until his arrest, Shabandri said.

Norris will have a preliminary hearing on the charges Nov. 9.

The robbery charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 to 30 years in prison, with three additional years if they are convicted of the armed criminal action charge. If convicted and sentenced to prison, the defendants would have to serve at least 85 percent of whatever penalty is imposed.

In addition to the robbery charges, Lane faces a felony charge of unlawful use of a weapon. In a sworn statement filed with that case, Perry said witnesses identified Lane as the person who fired two rounds from a shotgun into the air during an argument with people living near the corner of Frederick Street and Jefferson Avenue.

Family attends hearing

Lane's mother, grandparents and great-grandmother on Tuesday attended his court appearance. Afterward, they questioned why the teen had been charged as an adult.

"I don't think it is fair," said Kiya Curry, Lane's mother. "I think they should give younger children more of a chance to better themselves."

Lane has not been in serious trouble before, Curry said. Controlling teenagers is difficult, she said, and some get caught up with the wrong crowd.

"You can preach and try to teach them to be the best they can be, but when they get out there doing things on their own, it's hard," she said.

The decree certifying Lane as an adult cited the seriousness of the charge, the use of a handgun and a history of contact with juvenile authorities.

Prosecutor Morley Swingle said it is the job of the juvenile court, not his office, to decide which cases are moved to adult court. Armed robbery cases are always moved to adult court, he said.

"You will never see a defendant charged with murder, rape or robbery who is tried as a juvenile," Swingle said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

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