Bond set for 16-year-old charged in Cedar Rapids murder

Denum Anthony Null, 16, is facing a first-degree murder charge and, now, a $1 million cash bond.

In his initial appearance on Saturday morning at the Linn County Courthouse, Null listened and nodded as Judge Casey Jones agreed with the prosecution's call for a $1 million cash bond.

Jones set Null's next court appearance for Tuesday, February 9

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at 8:30 a.m.

In the criminal complaint, investigators state that, during a felony robbery on January 12

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, Null shot Kevin Bell, 26, in the head, resulting in his death.  The robbery occurred at 113 1

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Avenue SW, Apt. K, in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Cedar Rapids police say, at about 10:15 on Friday morning, they captured Null in a residence at 1510 4

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Avenue SE.

Police said earlier that, on the night of the robbery, three men broke into the apartment on 1

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Avenue where Bell was staying and asked for a PlayStation video gaming system and that one of the three men shot Bell.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety website had a “Denem Null” listed as a missing person.  The criminal complaint lists Null as using both “Denem” and “Denum”.

A county attorney on the case said Null will be tried as an adult.  If convicted on the first-degree murder charge, Null would face a life sentence in prison.