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Aunt Of Two Suspects In Teen's Murder: "They Were Not Raised Like This"

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The great aunt of two of the suspects charged with killing an honor roll student during a mugging last week said her nephews were good boys growing up, and she hopes, whatever happens with the case, her nephews can be shown mercy.

Seventeen-year-old Deafro Brakes and 16-year-old Tarik Brakes have been charged with two counts of murder and two counts of attempted armed robbery with a firearm in the slaying of 15-year-old Demario Bailey.

Their great aunt, Joann Brakes, said when her great nephews were younger, they spent time with their grandfather down south. She said they were raised in the church.

"They did good things. They went to church when they were younger, and stayed down south with their grandfather when they were younger," she said. "I don't know what happened in between."

The Brakes brothers, along with 17-year-old Isiah Penn and 17-year-old Carlos Johnson, are accused of attacking Demario and his twin brother Demacio last Saturday in a viaduct in the Englewood neighborhood.

Police and prosecutors allege the four young men began going through Demario's and Demacio's pockets while the brothers were on the way to basketball practice at Johnson College Prep. A fight ensued, and when Demario tried to protect his brother, and refused to hand over his own Columbia jacket, one of the four muggers shot him in the chest.

"They were not raised like this," Joann Brakes said of her great nephews. "Living in the Englewood area, these gangs can really influence you and grab you. They wasn't born in a bad environment."

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She said the Brakes family is heartbroken.

"We're grieving. We're grieving for the Bailey boys, the Bailey family, and for my two nephews," she said.

The Brakes brothers have been ordered held without bail. So has Carlos Johnson. A judge set Penn's bond at $2 million.

Prosecutors said surveillance cameras in the area showed the four robbers entering the viaduct just before the shooting, and exiting shortly after.

All four suspects also allegedly were involved in two other robberies in the same viaduct, shortly before the mugging that led to Demario's death.

"I hope to God that whatever happens that they give them mercy. That's all we're asking for, just mercy," Joann Brakes said.

Visitation for Bailey has been scheduled for Friday evening. His funeral has been scheduled for Saturday.

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