A Lima teenager has pleaded not guilty to a robbery that resulted in his death

Oct. 25—LIMA — A Lima teenager recently pleaded not guilty in Allen County Common Pleas Court to five counts related to the February shooting death of 14-year-old Lorali Sterling.

Cardarius Burns, who will turn 18 on Oct. 31, was charged with aggravated robbery with a firearm, felonious assault with a firearm, grand larceny with a firearm or dangerous ordinance, and two counts possession of weapons under control disability. He is currently being held at the Allen County Juvenile Detention Center on $250,000 bond.

The charges against Burns stem from the Feb. 13 incident that killed Sterling. Malik Dennis, who is accused of firing the shot that killed the teenager while she was at a residence at 788 Greenlawn Ave., was formally charged with aggravated murder and two counts of murder, each unclassified, as well as separate counts of aggravated assault, unlawful use of a firearm in a dwelling and tampering with physical evidence.

At Dennis’ municipal court hearing, attorney Steve Chamberlain of the Allen County Public Defender’s Office said it was learned that shortly before the shooting, Dennis was robbed by two juveniles who were staying at a residence on Greenlawn Avenue. He reportedly left and returned with the gun he used to shoot Sterling.

Burns is believed to have been one of these minors.

A preliminary hearing in the court of general proceedings is scheduled for November 4.

Contact Charlotte Caldwell at 567-242-0451.

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