16-year-old accused of fatally shooting a man will remain in adult court

CEDAR RAPIDS - A judge denied sending a 16-year-old charged with fatally shooting a 21-year-old man and injuring another teen back to juvenile court to stand trial.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Kevin McKeever said in his ruling that Kenyauta Vesey-Keith of Cedar Rapids will remain in adult court based on the seriousness of the charges and lack of 'reasonable prospects” for rehabilitation. The teen could receive services through the juvenile system only until age 18.

McKeever also noted Vesey-Keith received services while in juvenile court for a previous carrying weapons charge and was in the detention alternative program from last October through March. But the program didn't prevent the teen's involvement in further criminal acts, he said.

Vesey-Keith is charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, willful injury causing serious injury and intimidation with a weapon. He is accused of fatally shooting Brandon Johnson, 21, of Cedar Rapids, on March 19.

Johnson was killed during a fight in the 1100 block of Maplewood Drive NE, according to a criminal complaint. At least a dozen people, adults and juveniles, fought in the middle of Maplewood.

Police said Vesey-Keith got a gun from a vehicle, fired multiple rounds, with bullets hitting two people. Johnson was killed and Deaveon Gaudlin, 16, was seriously injured.

Police previously said the March fight was a continuation of a dispute that began with a brawl in the Lindale Mall food court in February 2014. That mall fight turned into an ongoing rivalry between two families and their friends.

A juvenile court officer testified at a hearing two weeks ago that he wouldn't recommend transferring Vesey-Keith to juvenile court because he wouldn't have enough rehabilitation time, as McKeever noted in his ruling.

Vesey-Keith's mother, Saresa Keith, 39, was arrested last month and accused of bringing her son to the March 19 fight. Police said Saresa Keith was involved in the fight and used a stun gun in the brawl. She is charged with child endangerment, carrying weapons and assault while using a weapon.