Two men who face murder charges in relation to the killing earlier this month of a teenager inside of a South of Market nightclub appeared in San Francisco Superior Court on Friday for their arraignments, which were postponed until next week.
Charles Gardner, 25, and Terrance Webb, 37, appeared in orange sweat suits and plastic slippers in Judge Ross Moody’s courtroom at the Hall of Justice just after 1:30 p.m. for allegedly killing Sean Ford inside the EndUp nightclub June 5.
The pair has been charged with murder with gang enhancements for the killing of Ford, 19. Both have been given $5 million bail, “based on the circumstances of the charges,” said Judge Moody.
Neither Gardner — a tall, youthful man with long, dark, dreaded hair — nor Webb, a short, strongly-built man with the shadow of a beard, entered a plea. What appeared to be family members or friends for both men sat in court for the proceedings but did not comment on the case.
Homicide inspectors arrested the pair on suspicion of murder and they were booked into County Jail on Thursday.
Ford was shot in the club at Sixth and Harrison streets just after 2 a.m. June 5. He was taken to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Assistant District Attorney Eric Fleming said the killing is believed to have been linked to a gang conflict. Webb, who has prior federal gang convictions, is a Hayward resident and Gardner is from Hunters Point, said Fleming, who added that Ford is from the Bayview-Hunters Point area.
The defendants’ next court appearance is set for Tuesday.
There have been 26 homicides so far this year in The City.
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The intersection of Sixth and Harrison streets, where the EndUp nightclub is located, as shown on June 17, 2016. (Jonah Owen Lamb/S.F. Examiner)
