BURLINGTON — The city man charged with murder in a shooting on lower Church Street pleaded not guilty in Chittenden County Superior Court Monday.
Chavis Murphy, 24, is charged with first degree murder for the killing of Odafemi Adedapo. The two were allegedly involved in a confrontation after bars let out downtown early on the morning of Dec. 27. Murphy was arrested without incident on Dec. 30 in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
In an affidavit establishing probable cause to issue a warrant for Murphy’s arrest, a Burlington Police detective said Adedapo was shot four times in the back and left side. His left thumb had a graze wound “consistent with putting up hands in a defense posture.”
Police and prosecutors have not said what they believe motivated the shooting, but a witness and a friend of Murphy’s said the confrontation may have started over a woman, according to the affidavit.
Absent other aggravating factors, such as poisoning or robbery, state statute defines first degree murder as a “willful, deliberate and premeditated” killing. First degree murder carries a minimum sentence of 35 years and a maximum sentence of life without parole.
Bram Kranichfeld, first assistant Chittenden County state’s attorney, said his office is pursuing the first degree murder charge in Adedapo’s killing because the number of shots fired and other evidence points to premeditation.
Police say Adedapo was a drug dealer with gang ties, who was in Vermont to sell drugs. It does not appear from the affidavit that Adedapo was robbed. He had $1,490 in cash in a pocket when police searched his belongings.
Murphy appeared before Judge Nancy Waples Monday in a red prison jumpsuit. He calmly answered questions from Judge Waples and after the proceeding briefly exchanged words with a woman in the court gallery before being removed by officers.
Waples ordered that Murphy be held without bail. He is being housed at the Northwestern State Correctional Facility in St. Albans.
Murphy was represented in his initial appearance before the court by Stacie Johnson, with the Defender General’s office. The defender general has not selected permanent counsel for Murphy, and Johnson indicated she would not be assigned to the case.
She requested the defender general be given time to investigate and that a “weight of the evidence” hearing be scheduled so Murphy’s lawyer can argue for his release. Waples scheduled the hearing for Jan. 14.
Chittenden County Sheriff Kevin McLaughlin and two sheriff’s deputies were in court Monday for Murphy’s arraignment. McLaughlin said they were there to provide extra security.
“We were doing a little bit of additional security because in these high profile cases you never know,” he said. McLaughlin said the family members of the accused or the victim could show up in court, and with emotions running high, there is always the risk of a confrontation.
