CLEVELAND — One of three suspects charged in the murder of Cleveland Police Det. James Skernivitz was arraigned in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Tuesday morning.
Eighteen-year-old David McDaniel appeared for less than two minutes and pleaded not guilty via video chat, facing multiple felony charges including aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, and felonious assault. The judge upheld his $3 million bond, meaning he will likely remain in the county jail until further notice.
McDaniel was arrested on Sept. 6, three days after Skernivitz and 50-year-old Scott Dingess were shot to death while inside a car on Cleveland's west side. Skernivitz was apparently working under cover when he was struck with multiple bullets, and the suspects subsequently fled the scene.
"Sadly, these types of random, senseless homicides happen in our community nearly every day. This time the victims were a police officer on duty to make our community a better place and a citizen who volunteered to assist him,” Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley said. "Two families are now without fathers and the entire community is left heartbroken due to yet another instance of senseless gun violence."
Two juveniles were also charged with the murder along with McDaniel, but since they are not currently being tried as adults and are under the age of 18 3News is not releasing their identities. Two more adults, 24-year-old Brittany Cremeans and 27-year-old Antonio Darby, are accused of obstructing justice and evidence tampering.
Attorneys Fernando Mack and Nancy Jamieson have been assigned to represent McDaniel. A pre-trial hearing has been set for Monday at 9 a.m. in Judge Deborah M. Turner's courtroom.