Accused Bronx teen murderer faces judge again

A Bronx teen girl who has been charged with murdering two men in separate incidents last week was in court Wednesday. Sharell Butler, 15, was charged with killing Christopher Umpierrie, 24, on Dec. 19,

News 12 Staff

Dec 31, 2008, 11:36 PM

Updated 5,602 days ago

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Accused Bronx teen murderer faces judge again
A Bronx teen girl who has been charged with murdering two men in separate incidents last week was in court Wednesday.
Sharell Butler, 15, was charged with killing Christopher Umpierrie, 24, on Dec. 19, after robbing his Throgs Neck home. She is also charged with killing John Hopkins-Drago, 20, whose body was found dismembered in a garbage bag behind a Pelham Parkway apartment building on Dec. 21.
In court Wednesday, Butler's lawyer waived her right to testify before a grand jury. He also denied some of the allegations against her.
"Things are not always what they seem," says Xavier Donaldson, Butler's lawyer. "That's important to realize. The case is in its infancy stages. We expect more facts to come out that will be beneficial."
Investigators say Butler may not have been the only person responsible for the death of Hopkins-Drago. Police are questioning Robert Pastore, 19, for his possible involvement in the crime.
Pastore's rap sheet includes charges of rape, sodomy, sexual misconduct, endangering the welfare of a child and sexual abuse.
Pastore was also in court and ordered to stay away from Butler. He is due back in court on February 24.
Butler, who is due back in court on February 9, is being held without bail. Pastore is being held on $15,000 bail.


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