Judge delays plea in case of teen accused of shooting and killing Christopher Leon

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- For the first time since someone shot and killed Christopher Leon, his family got a firsthand look at the teenager accused of pulling the trigger. Although it was only one syllable, they also heard him speak.

JUDGE: "Mr. Morelos, you're willing to waive time for your arraignment until the 11th of September, sir?"

MORELOS: "Yes."

Leon's family said it was hard to see the face of Angel Morelos in court.

Leon's sister, Margie Martin, said, "It's terrible seeing this coward who took my brother's life."

Police said the 18-year-old and a few other teens robbed Leon's family's stereo and jewelry store in Southeast Fresno on August 5th. Leon's father tackled Morelos as he tried to escape, but when his son took over holding Morelos for police, the teenager pulled a gun and shot twice.

Prosecutors charged Morelos with murder with a gun enhancement, and he was scheduled to enter a plea Monday. But the Public Defender's Office asked for a postponement to make sure they will be able to represent him.

"As you know, this is a complicated case with multiple defendants involved mostly, to my understanding, in juvenile court," said Morelos' Attorney Scott Baly.

The judge granted a two-week delay; for Leon's family, it puts justice further out of sight, and so far, time has not helped heal the wound.

"It's always going to be worse and worse and worse as days go by. Nothing's going to make it better. They took a great person," said Martin.

Morelos will not be allowed to bail out for now. He's facing life in prison with no potential parole hearing for 50 years.

The other suspects in custody are all juveniles, but some of them could eventually face charges as adults.