14 DAY TRIAL // After stealing a man’s iPad at the Cherry Creek mall in Denver, Colorado, the alleged suspect now been charged with trying to arrange the murder of the victim.
During the April 15 attack, Bill Jordan, a human resources director of an international uranium mining company based in Canada, lost both his new Apple tablet, and a finger.
According to a report by CBSNEWS.com, Jordan had the strings to the iPad bag wrapped around his hand at the time of the incident.
As he neared the mall’s parking garage, the robber approached Jordan from behind, and pulled the bag from his hand with such force that it actually severed his left pinky, the report said.
Police later identified the robber as Brandon Darnell Smith.
Smith was caught on security cameras as he fled the shopping center with the iPad in his hand.
Denver police arrested Smith early Sunday (April 17) at his home.
Smith was charged with robbery and third-degree assault.
The robbery count was labeled as a felony, while the third-degree assault charge was a misdemeanor (legal term for a non-indictable offense, a minor wrongdoing).
At age 21, Smith’s record now adds the attempted murder of Bill Jordan.
The robber ordered a hit on Jordan so that he wouldn't get charged for robbery, according to the denverpost.com.
Intercepted by deputies at the Denver Justice Center, Smith attempted to arrange Jordan’s murder via a letter.
"YOU GET THIS DONE! AND I GO ON ANYTHING I'll rob a bank if you want me too. Just do this for your boy and I got you for sure. You know how we do it," Smith allegedly wrote.
After pointing out to Jordan's address, Smith said “handle it A.S.A.P."
"I really need this otherwise it's a wrap!! If you do this, case is dropped," he concludes the letter.