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2 Teen Murder Suspects In Taxi Cab Killing Appear In Court

DENVER (CBS4) - Two teens arrested in connection with the murder of a taxi driver in September appeared in court on Wednesday morning.

Dasean Perry and Nicholas McKinney have been charged with one count of first-degree felony murder. They appeared before a judge where they were advised of those charges.

Darren Bloomquist was driving a taxi on Sept. 5 after receiving a call to 20000 East Mitchell Place in Green Valley Ranch when he was shot and killed in an apparent robbery.

Darren Bloomquist
Darren Bloomquist (credit: Metro Taxi)

The charges allege that Perry, 19, and McKinney, 18, were participating in an attempt to rob Bloomquist, 49, when he was shot and killed. McKinney, who was 17 at the time, is being charged as an adult.

The advisement was nearly identical for both suspects but McKinney's defense attorney told CBS4 that a motion will be filed to have the case transferred to juvenile court.

There was a large showing of support in court for Perry. His family did not want to comment on camera but his mother told CBS4's Jamie Leary, "My baby is innocent."

A different teenager was arrested in connection with Bloomquist's murder back in September but that teen wasn't charged in the case because there was not enough information to substantiate charges.

Dasean Perry and Nicholas McKinney
Dasean Perry and Nicholas McKinney (credit: Denver DA)

Bloomquist had taken the job moonlighting as a cab driver to help pay medical bills for his disabled wife. She said that she's grateful to the detectives for all of their hard work in tracking down her husband's alleged killers and that the family is now prepared for the legal system to take care of the rest.

Details in the case about what led police to arrest the teens has not been released because court documents have been sealed. The preliminary hearing for the suspects has been scheduled for Jan. 15, 2016. Both suspects remain in custody without bond.

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