Teens plead not guilty in beating death of Delbert Belton

Two teenagers charged with the murder of an 88-year-old World War II veteran pleaded not guilty to all charges Thursday. Demetruis Glenn and Kenan Adams-Kinard, both 16, appeared in Superior Court Judge James Triplet’s courtroom, facing charges on the brutal beating death of Delbert Belton on Aug. 21. Police say they beat Belton to death while he waited for a friend in his car outside the Eagles Lodge. The massive crowds present at the boys’ initial appearances had dwindled, but the emotional charge remained—the sound of soft sobs could be heard from both the boys’ and Belton’s loved ones as the suspects appeared, one after the other. Glenn and Adams-Kinard face charges of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery and first-degree conspiracy to commit robbery. Both pleaded not guilty to all three charges. Their trial begins Nov. 4 at 9 a.m. The teens’ families and friends darted out of the courtroom when the appearance was over. Adams-Kinard’s father, Steven Kinard, lingered just long enough to tell members of the media that he stood by his son the whole way. Ted Denison, a close friend of Belton’s, said he’s ready for the boys to take responsibility for their actions. Denison was among those who saw Belton’s body after he was transported to Sacred Heart Regional Hospital. The injuries had left him unrecognizable, he said. “I was really hoping he’d pull through it, but you know the outcome,” Denison said. “He’s dead.”