Man Waives Hearing in Chew Murder

An 18-year-old man charged in connection with the October murder of Matthew Chew waived a probable cause hearing on Wednesday.

Brian Rabell, of 93 State Pier Road, is being held on a $500,000 bond on the charge of accessory to murder. By waiving the hearing, a plea of not guilty was automatically entered.

Judge Patrick J. Clifford went through a standard set of questions, including asking Rabell his age and whether he had had enough time to discuss the matter with his defense attorney, Thomas Simones. Clifford explained that per state law, the maximum penalty for the crime is 60 years. He said that at a probable cause hearing can be held within 60 days of an arrest on an accessory to murder charge, and that Assistant State's Attorney John P. Gravelec-Pannone would have to prove that Chew was murdered and that Rabell was likely involved.

Clifford continued the case to Jan. 19. He also approved a motion by Gravelec-Pannone to seal the arrest warrants in the case of Rabell and his five co-defendants until Jan. 10. In the motion, Gravelec-Pannone says that "because of the violent and serious nature of the crimes being investigated, the personal safety of witnesses could be jeopardized by the disclosure of the affidavit."

Clifford said Tuesday that he would be inclined to release the documents once the extension runs out, and Gravelec-Pannone said Wednesday that he does not believe another extension will be necessary.

"I don't anticipate this being sealed after Jan. 10," he said.

Rabell is the fourth of six defendants to appear in Superior Court, and the first to waive a probable cause hearing. Police have also charged 17-year-olds Matias Perry and Rashad Perry (no relation) and 18-year-old Tyree Bundy with accessory to murder. Seventeen-year-olds Idris Elahi and Marquis Singleton have been charged with murder. Matias Perry and Bundy will appear before Clifford this week.

The six men are accused of fatally stabbing Chew, a 25-year-old employee of 2Wives Pizza, as he was walking from the restaurant to his apartment on Washington Street on Oct. 29.