Watch CBS News

Chesco DA Will Pursue Death Penalty in Murder-Arson of Norristown Teen

By Brad Segall

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (CBS) -- Prosecutors in Chester County, Pa. say they will pursue the death penalty against Shakeem Carter, accused of stabbing a Norristown teenager to death and then setting the body on fire inside a North Coventry apartment in February.

Chester County DA Tom Hogan says they decided to pursue the death penalty in this case after consulting with police and the victim's family.  Hogan says the offense was committed by means of torture and during the perpetration of another felony.

Prosecutors say Carter, 20, accompanied 17-year-old Kevin Allen to his father's apartment to retrieve $350 his father left him to buy clothes.

But inside the apartment, police say, Carter stabbed Allen more than twenty times before dousing the body in vegetable oil and setting it on fire (see related stories).

Carter is now charged with murder, arson, robbery, and related offenses.

Detectives used SEPTA bus surveillance cameras which captured Carter counting a stack of money.

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.