DENVER — Two teens who were arrested last month in connection with a fire in Denver's Green Valley Ranch neighborhood last August that killed five members of the Diol family appeared in court Wednesday afternoon for a virtual hearing.
Djibril Diol, 29, and his wife, 23-year-old Adja Diol, as well as their 2-year-old daughter Khadija, died in the Aug. 5, 2020 fire. Djibril’s sister Hassan Diol, 25, and her infant daughter, Hawa Baye, also lost their lives in the fire that was intentionally set at their home in the 5300 block of North Truckee Street at about 2:30 a.m.
Kevin Bui and Gavin Seymour, both 16, are charged with 60 felony counts related to the fire. They include the following:
- First-degree murder
- Attempted murder
- First-degree and second-degree assault
- First and fourth-degree arson
- First and second-degree burglary
- Conspiracy charges
They also face several violent crime counts, which are sentencing enhancers. That means, if convicted, they could face additional time behind bars.
Bui appeared in court for his hearing by audio-only from a juvenile detention center. He was advised of the charges against him and replied, "Yes, your honor," when responding to the judge.
Seymour appeared next for a hearing by video and was also advised of the charges against him. His defense attorney said they've filed a motion requesting a reverse transfer hearing. That is essentially a mini-trial where evidence is presented before a judge who will determine if the case should move back to juvenile court instead of adult court.
Both teens have status hearings set for late next week.
Bui, Seymour and a 15-year-old boy whose case is still currently in the juvenile court system were arrested on Jan. 27. Denver prosecutors said they planned to request that the younger suspect's case be moved to Denver District Court, but unless that request is granted, his name is not being made public.
The 15-year-old is charged with 47 counts that include:
- First-degree murder
- Attempted murder
- First-degree and second-degree assault
- First and fourth-degree arson
- First and second-degree burglary
- Conspiracy charges
- Sentence enhancer of aggravated juvenile offender
Kevin Bui's older sister, Tanya Bui, was arrested on federal drug charges. She had not been charged in connection with the fire, but when her brother was identified as a suspect, investigators said they learned of her alleged illegal activities.
She has been charged with the following federal crimes:
- Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute (less than 50 kilograms)
- Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
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