On Tuesday, the court indicted the 16-year-old accused of the murder of the popular Berclair fruit seller known as “Red the Watermelon Man” in 2023.
On Thursday morning, Demarion Tackett made an appearance in court.
In May 2023, a robbery took place which resulted in the tragic murder of 76-year-old John Materna. The suspect is currently facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder.
Every morning for 30 years, Materna would sell the popular summer fruit from his truck, setting up shop around Memphis.
Two weeks later, he passed away at the hospital.
Tackett’s next court appearance is scheduled for August 29th, where he will be represented by a public defender.
In March, he was released on a $100,000 bond once he was transferred to adult court.
According to reports, he went into hiding for weeks after failing to appear in court three months later.
Since his capture by U.S. Marshals in early July, he has been detained without bond at 201 Poplar.
