Gang Member Pleads Not Guilty To Murder In Death Of Venice Youth Pastor
VENICE (CBS) — A reputed gang member pleaded not guilty to murder Tuesday in connection with the slaying of a 23-year-old youth minister who was gunned down in Venice last week.
Kevin Dwayne Green, 28, also known as "Baby Skull," was expected to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. at the Airport Branch Courthouse. He is accused in the killing of Oscar Duncan, who was shot to death June 4.
The murder charge against Green includes gun use and street gang allegations, according to the District Attorney's Office. He was also charged with a separate count of second-degree robbery that allegedly occurred May 21 and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Prosecutors plan to ask that his bail be set at $2 million.
Hopeton Beresford Parsley, 22, was also arrested Monday. It was unclear what charges he will face and when he will be arraigned.
Police said Monday that two people had been arrested in connection with Duncan's death. A $50,000 reward had been offered in the case.
Duncan, who grew up in Venice, was a youth minister with the Boys and Girls Club of Venice and also worked with Takeover Youth Ministry in Inglewood.
He was in front of a residence when a white, older-model car with several male occupants pulled up in the 600 block of Santa Clara Avenue about 10:30 p.m.
"There was an exchange of words and one shot was fired, striking the victim," said LAPD Lt. Marco Munoz of the Pacific Station.
Police had said they were seeking as many as four suspects who were in the Honda sedan. The victim was not a gang member, but the suspects may have been gang members, police said.
Duncan had posted a Bible quote from Deuteronomy on Twitter the day he was shot.
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