Second murder arrest kept mum for weeks

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - The Commonwealth's Attorney's Office released new information Monday on the arrest and criminal background of a second man accused of gunning down a Norfolk police officer.

Kareem Hasson Turner, 24, has been charged with second degree murder. 

Nearly two years of investigating and hundreds of interviews by the Virginia Beach Police Department led to the arrest of Turner and Raymond Lewis Perry.

In October, Turner was charged with the robbery of off-duty Norfolk police officer Victor Decker.

That charge was kept secret, as was Turner's appearance in court Friday on a murder charge. 

Police believe Turner was with Perry Oct. 26, 2010 when Decker was gunned down outside a Virginia Beach nightclub. 

"You asked me about the relationship between the two... they were together when Victor Decker was robbed and killed... they are both responsible," Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney Harvey Bryant told WAVY.com.

Turner's charge, second degree murder, shows he did not have pre-meditation in the murder. That could change with a Grand Jury indictment.

"It is my policy not to charge capital murder by a warrant," Bryant said. "It complicates the life of the whole process.  We ask a Grand Jury to consider that."

10 On Your Side can deduce that Bryant likely thinks Perry is the trigger man because the Grand Jury was presented with evidence and returned a capital charge of murder.  That sentence can be death, or life in prison for life without parole. 

Bryant won't discuss that, but acknowledges the trigger man is the only one who can get the death penalty, but both Perry and Turner would be equally responsible for the crime. 

"Whether you are the guy who goes in with a gun, you are the lookout, the driver, the law sees you equally responsible and you face the same punishment," Bryant said.

WAVY.com investigated Turner's criminal history. It is lengthy, but with mostly non-violent crimes:

Virginia Beach charges (all dated 2008):

• driving with suspended license
• forged license plates
• safety belt violation
• expired registration

Chesapeake charges 

• 2008 speeding
• 2009 driving with a suspended license
• 2010 no seatbelt
• 2010 driving with revoked license

In court papers, Turner says he is a victim of mistaken identity.  Both Perry and Turner claim they are innocent.    Turner refused an interview. 

For the warrants in the Decker murder arrest, Turner forged an address where he does not live.  Turner was scheduled to appear in Norfolk Court Dec. 17 for receiving and selling stolen property.

Both Perry and Turner are in jail without bond.