Trial date set for Fall River teenagers accused of murder

A tentative trial date is set for two teenagers charged with the July 2016 murder of Jerrod Cohen on Pine Street.

FALL RIVER - A tentative trial date is set for two teenagers charged with the July 2016 murder of Jerrod Cohen on Pine Street.

Joel Lopez, 18, and Jayden Smith, 17, both of Fall River, are scheduled to stand trial on Nov. 5 at Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River, according to court records.

Around 9:30 p.m. on July 11, 2016, Lopez, then 16, went to 129 Pine St., with Smith, who was then 15, to confront Cohen’s friend, who, according to court filings, had been taunting Lopez over a girl and challenging him, even daring Lopez to come to Plain Street because he “had something” for him.

Witnesses at the scene on Pine Street later told police that two young men, both wearing black hooded sweatshirts and jeans, walked past their apartment building while staring at a group of people socializing in the parking lot. According to police reports, Cohen and his friend stepped forward to confront the teens, at which point, prosecutors said, the assailants opened fire at them and ran.

Cohen’s friend was not struck by gunfire. Cohen, 29, was struck in the chest and abdomen, and died later that night at Rhode Island Hospital.

A court filing last year by Lopez's attorney alleged that Cohen was armed with a machete, and that he and his friend were members of the Crips. Lopez allegedly brought a revolver to the scene for protection rather than any intent to kill Cohen’s friend, Lopez's lawyer said in a motion seeking to dismiss the murder indictment. A judge later denied the dismissal motion, according to court records.

Both defendants are scheduled to return to court for final pretrial hearings on Oct. 12.

Email Brian Fraga at bfraga@heraldnews.com