Florida Teen Accused of Killing Rabbi Allowed Bail, Judge Rules

Deandre Edwin Charles Image by YouTube Screenshot

By JTA April 5, 2016

A Florida teenager of killing a Brooklyn rabbi in Florida can remain out of jail on bail through the end of his murder trial, a judge ruled.

Prosecutors did not provide enough evidence to keep Deandre Edwin Charles, 15, behind bars before the start of his trial, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jason Bloch ruled last week.

Charles remains in jail, however, because his family has not been able to post the $300,000 bail, according to the Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Charles was 14 when he allegedly shot Rabbi Joseph Raksin, 60, while the rabbi was walking to synagogue on Aug. 9, 2014. Raksin was in South Florida visiting family when Miami-Dade Police believe he was attacked in an attempted robbery.

Under the judge’s decision, Charles will be placed under house arrest and placed on a GPS monitor after bond is posted. He will not be allowed to use the Internet or a telephone, except to speak with his attorney or for emergencies.

Raksin’s son-in-law Izzy Labkowski told the Sun-Sentinel that while it was somewhat disappointing the judge didn’t see the evidence, he wasn’t upset or angry by the ruling.

“God willing that hopefully next time, the evidence will be shown in a better way,” Labkowski said, noting that if Charles’ family is able to bail him out, he will still be under house arrest.

Joseph Raksin

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