May 17, 2002 By Jennifer Harr 2 min read

David Alexander “Taboo” Sims, accused of killing Charles “Cha Cha” Lendell last December, pleaded not guilty to criminal homicide and criminal conspiracy at his Fayette County Court arraignment on Thursday. Sims, 33, of 83 Dunlap St., Uniontown, was one of two men initially charged in Lendell’s death even though neither actually shot him.

According to state police, Lendell, Sims and Antonio T. Lanko, 16, went to a Lemon Wood Acres apartment last Dec. 29, intending to rob its occupants. Instead, one of the occupants, James Simon Thompson, shot Lendell to death.

Prosecutors opted not to charge Thompson because they believe the shooting was in self-defense.

However, because Lendell’s death occurred in the course of a felony, prosecutors charged his accomplices in his death under a felony murder statute.

While Sims remains charged with criminal homicide, 16-year-old Lanko had that most serious charge dropped last month when he agreed to testify against Sims. Lanko, still charged with robbery and related offenses, waived his arraignment and pleaded not guilty.

Both men now have 30 days in which to file any pretrial motions.

Lanko’s attorney, Mark F. Morrison, said at Lanko’s bail proceedings that he would likely present a petition to have the charges against his client transferred to juvenile court. Because of the severity of the crimes, Lanko was charged as an adult.

Morrison asked for bail for Lanko after he agreed to testify against Sims. Morrison told Judge Ralph C. Warman that Lanko, a slight boy, was afraid to be in the county lock-up with Sims.

With a warning that Lanko would go back to jail if he didn’t attend classes every day, Warman released the Uniontown Area High School student on his own recognizance, meaning that Lanko did not have to post any money.