A South Florida man charged in connection with a drive-by shooting that killed his 7-year-old nephew was formally arraigned Friday.
Michael Tobler pleaded not guilty in Miami-Dade court to charges of attempted second-degree murder and aggravated battery in connection with the December shooting that killed Amiere Castro.
Tobler, 19, has been appointed a public defender. He has been released on $50,000 bond.
Prosecutors claim Tobler tried to kill Dravein Duke and Maxwel Trewin after they got into an argument over a stolen gun. Police say Duke and Trewin went to see Tobler to buy drugs. Hours later, Duke and Trewin allegedly returned to Tobler's home and opened fire from their vehicle. One of the bullets killed Castro as he was opening his Christmas presents.
Duke and Trewin are awaiting trial in the killing of Castro.
Tobler will be back in court at the end of next month as the attorneys get ready to set a date for his criminal trial.
