ST. LOUIS, MO (June 25, 2025) — A St. Louis jury convicted James Blake, 23, of a brutal broad daylight murder and robbery of 14-year-old Kathon Moore in the City’s West End neighborhood. Blake was found guilty of second-degree murder, second-degree robbery, and two counts of armed criminal action following a three-day trial.

Evidence presented during the trial showed that Blake and a co-defendant approached Moore while he was riding his bicycle. When Moore offered to sell marijuana, the situation quickly turned violent. Surveillance footage and eyewitness testimony confirmed that Moore was thrown to the ground. While Moore was defenseless, Blake fired a single shot to the back of his head, killing him instantly. Moore’s marijuana and a handgun were taken from the scene where the defendant left in a white sedan. Witnesses in the nearby apartment complex heard the gunshots and later helped law enforcement identify the suspects.

“This prosecution achieves a measure of justice for a murdered child and hopefully brings some sense of solace to the child’s family,” said Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. “If you take a life, you will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Public safety requires nothing less.”

Blake’s jury sentencing is scheduled for June 26, 2025. On the second-degree murder charge, he faces up to 30 years in prison.

Chief Trial Attorney Marvin O. Teer, Jr. and Assistant Circuit Attorneys Tim Wright and John Edwards prosecuted the case.



Blake’s case number is 2422-CR00710-01.