Three men charged with second-degree murder in Hopewell 18-year-old’s death will remain in custody

CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A Caroline County judge virtually read second-degree murder charges on Friday to three men in connection with Hopewell teen Jayden McComber’s death. The fourth suspect in the case is expected to be arraigned on Monday for the same charge.

Jaden Phillips of Richmond, Rashad Mayfield of Henrico County and Devonti Pettaway of Chesterfield County will stay behind bars at Pamunkey Regional Jail after authorities arrested them on Thursday, April 2.

The fourth co-defendant charged with second-degree murder -- Kennady Lambert of Hopewell -- was not in Caroline County court Friday. She is instead slated to appear in court for an arraignment in the morning on Monday, April 6, according to online court records.

The charges come after Caroline sheriff's deputies found McComber's body in a Caroline County pond on Tuesday, March 31. Other details are still unknown.

Family and friends of the victim or the accused appeared not to be present as the judge explained the defendants' charges, including that a conviction in the case could lead to jail time. The judge also approved the three's request for court-appointed attorneys.

The men gave short responses, but Pettaway told the judge he was interested in hiring his own attorney and asked about a possibility for bond. The judge dismissed the question and ordered no contact between the four arrested.

Phillips, Mayfield and Pettaway are scheduled to have their preliminary hearing at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 17.