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Jurors Deliberate if 14-Year-Old Raeshawn Rivers is Guilty in Arnesha Bowers Death

BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- Monday, jurors were deciding the fate of a teenager charged in one of Baltimore's most brutal killings in years.

They must decide whether Raeshawn Rivers, 14 years old at the time, is responsible in murdering 16-year-old Arnesha Bowers, because he was an accomplice to the plot and never tried to stop it.

Arnesha Bowers was essentially tortured before her death, deliberations began after 10 a.m. and wrapped around 5 p.m.

Adonay Dixon and John Childs both already pleaded guilty, but prosecutors say Rivers is responsible even though he didn't participate in the beating, rape, strangling and setting Bowers on fire in her grandmother's house.

"We just need to pick our friends wisely. We understand that this world has many dangers, and you do have to be cautious. You really do. Stand tall in your faith. You're going to be tired. Oh, you're going to be tired, but don't give up on our young folks," said Bower's grandmother.

Rivers defense attorneys argue he would have been in danger had he fled and called 911.

A neighbor of Bowers who knew Dixon told WJZ he could be a manipulator.

"I believe Adonay is the ring leader, I believe he talked them into what to do. He's a monster," said Kimberly Butler.

The judge dropped arson and raped charges against Rivers, but he faces life in prison if he's found guilty of 1st-degree murder.

Dixon is serving 50 years in exchange for his testimony against Rivers. Childs is serving a life sentence.

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