The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has apprehended three teenagers in connection with the tragic death of 64-year-old Roger Borkum, marking a significant development in this distressing case.
On a somber Friday evening, authorities in Jacksonville, Florida, disclosed the arrest of these youths, linking them to the fatal incident that occurred on October 19. The arrest report, obtained by First Coast News, details a disturbing series of assaults on Borkum that took place on Hogan Street.
The investigation uncovered that Borkum was attacked three separate times within a one-hour span, between 9:44 p.m. and 10:48 p.m. on the fateful night. The second assault occurred at 9:58 p.m. It was after this attack that a concerned witness discovered Borkum lying on the ground and promptly alerted the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
Upon their arrival, JFRD assessed Borkum’s condition and, at that moment, deemed medical intervention unnecessary, subsequently departing the scene. Tragically, the suspects returned at 10:48 p.m. to assault him once more before fleeing on foot. Another witness later found Borkum and called 911, prompting a timely response from both JSO and JFRD.
Borkum was transported to a local hospital, but sadly, he succumbed to his injuries four days later, casting a pall of grief over the community.
The accused teenagers, identified as Marcavion Lacey, 19, Robert Pope, 16, and Justin Curry, 13, now face murder charges. Notably, Curry was only 12 at the time of the incident. The state attorney’s office has confirmed that he was indicted by a Duval County grand jury on Thursday, underscoring the gravity of the charges they face.
The State Attorney’s Office released the following statement regarding the incident:
“The juvenile justice system is neither designed nor equipped to handle offenders or offenses of this magnitude. In Juvenile Court, the State must relinquish its authority to the Department of Juvenile Justice, where the available sanctions fall far short of those permitted in Circuit Court — and far short of what is necessary for this crime. By handling this case in Circuit Court, we ensure that it receives the level of accountability, supervision, and judicial oversight that the facts and law demand.”
First Coast News would not normally release the identities of minors, but the state attorney’s office has confirmed all three suspects are being charged as adults.
