2003 Media Releases:

CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
VINCENT P. SARUBBI, CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
MEDIA   INFORMATION

March 24, 2003

Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi announced today that two teenagers accused of Murder in the Dec. 12, 2002, death of Demetress Fletcher, M/17, of Camden, will face adult charges.

Ruling today on waiver motion filed by Assistant Prosecutor Diane Marano, Section Chief of the Juvenile Unit in the Prosecutor's Office, Superior Court Judge Angelo DiCamillo waived the defendants to adult court to face Murder charges. The defendants, Johnnie Parker, M/17, and Tremain Paige, M/16, both lived with their families in the 800 block of Central Avenue in Camden, near the victim's home in the 1700 block of South 8th Street.

The investigation indicates that the defendants drove to the victim's home and picked him up on the evening of Dec. 12, 2002. A short time later, Fletcher was stabbed multiple times in the upper body at Kossuth Street and Carl Miller Boulevard. Camden Police received a 911 call at 6:35 p.m. and found Fletcher lying in the front yard of a home in the 1700 block of South 8th Street, about a half a block from his home.

The investigation indicates that the stabbing stemmed from a dispute over a handgun that had been lent to the victim but not returned.

An arraignment for the defendants is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, 2003, at 11:30 a.m. before Superior Court Judge Samuel D. Natal in Courtroom 56 of the Camden County Hall of Justice, 5th Street & Mickle Boulevard, Camden.

All persons charged with criminal offenses are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.