COLUMBIA – The trial of one of the five men charged in connection with the June shooting of a 22-year-old Columbia man was continued for the third time on Tuesday.
Quillan Jacobs, 17, is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and armed criminal action in the shooting death of Nathaniel Bentley. Jacobs’ trial was scheduled to begin Wednesday.
Jacobs’ attorney Special Public Defender Gerald Mueller requested additional time to investigate witnesses. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Schulz did not object to the motion.
Boone County Circuit Court Judge Kevin Crane approved the motion, but warned that this would be the final continuance. The trial was initially schedule for Nov. 4.
Also charged in Bentley's death are Malcolm Washington, 26; Michael Jaco, 18; Denzel Smith, 18; and Damon Williams, 24. All four are charged with armed criminal action and first-degree robbery; Washington, Jaco and Smith are charged with second-degree murder, while Williams is charged with first-degree murder.
On June 10, the five men forced their way into Bentley's Pimlico Court duplex looking for drugs and cash, according to a probable cause statement filed with the court.
Bentley was sleeping in his upstairs bedroom when at least one of the suspects entered the bedroom and began arguing with Bentley, according to the statement. Witnesses told police they heard a gunshot before the suspects left with an X-Box game system, two purses and at least one cell phone, the statement said.
Bentley was transported to a hospital with a gunshot wound to the head. He was later pronounced dead.
Jacobs' new trial date is pending.