JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A second man charged in the murder of a Blind Rabbit employee behind the restaurant in July 2015 pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the charges.
Devonte Hanford, 22, who has a long criminal history and was still on probation for a 2016 conviction on a weapons charge, was arrested and charged with murder two days after a man pleaded guilty in the same case.
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As Erron Coleman, 25, admitted in open court last month to pulling the trigger while robbing Daniel Rowe, he named Hanford as the second man police always believed was involved in the robbery that led to Rowe's death. Coleman is awaiting sentencing.
In addition to murder, Hanford is charged with possession of marijuana, cocaine, controlled substances and drug paraphernalia and knowingly driving without a license.
Records show Hanford has seven previous arrests in Duval County, including charges of domestic battery, battery in a detention facility, resisting an officer, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, tampering with a witness and other drug charges.
Hanford will be back in court Sept. 12.
Rowe’s parents, Steven and Raelyn Rowe, have promised to be in court every time Hanford is there.
They told News4Jax that they visited Daniel's grave site after Coleman pleaded guilty, and they expect Hanford's legal process to be another long, hard road for them.
They said every time they see Hanford or Coleman