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Shooting suspect’s mom says son wouldn’t hurt a fly

Posted at 12:39 PM, Jan 30, 2013
and last updated 2013-01-30 14:57:33-05

HENRICO COUNTY, Va (WTVR) -- Jamon Burrough's mother sat inside a Henrico courtroom and listened as Judge Mary Malveaux charged her son with murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. 

The charges stem from the killing of Farooq M. Bhimdi, 64, Monday evening.  Detectives believe Burroughs shot Bhimdi inside the Expressway Convenience Store during a robbery attempt. Bhimdi, who owned the store, was also working as the clerk that night.

Burroughs appeared in court via video Wednesday morning. During the nearly five-minute hearing he spoke very few words, only confirming his plans to hire his own lawyer.  Judge Malveaux denied the teen bond and told Burroughs his lawyer could request a bond hearing at a later date.

Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor said it took "very good police work" to arrest someone so quickly after the fatal shooting. However Taylor stressed real life court hearings do not resemble the movies or police television dramas, instead they take time.

"I think the most important thing here is to let the community know, the community that was so affected by this event, that we need to allow the justice system to work its way through and make sure we respect all aspects of the system," Taylor said.

Following the court hearing, Burroughs' mother spoke said her son "would never hurt a fly."  She also said she was sure of his innocence.

"From the time they say he did it, he was at home all day.  He never went anywhere I was off that day Monday," she said. "I never saw him go out of the house."

Commonwealth's Attorney Taylor added Burroughs could face charges for robbery at a later time.  Burroughs is set to appear in court February 13 at 9:00 a.m.