Bel Air boy charged as adult after two fights involving same person

A Bel Air teen — a sophomore at Bel Air High School — is facing felony assault charges after two fights involving another teen.

Brandon K. Nance, 16, of the 700 block of Mayton Court, was charged as an adult Thursday with two counts each of first- and second-degree assault.

Nance allegedly fought another boy twice this week and at least one incident was videotaped, Assistant State's Attorney Mary Buck said at Nance's bail review hearing Thursday in Harford County District Court.

She said the accusations give the state "cause for alarm."

On Monday, Nance and the other unnamed teen were involved in a fight that Buck characterized as a "very serious incident."

The incident was videotaped and Buck said Nance could be seen looking at the camera and smiling at least once during the video.

The two were involved in a second fight Wednesday, according to Buck.

It's unclear why the two teens were fighting.

Eva Cockerham, under supervision of Assistant Public Defender Michael Ambridge, said Nance just turned 16 this month and is a good student in 10th grade at Bel Air High School.

Cockerham said the boy lives with his parents, who moved to the area a year ago and bought a house after the boy's stepfather retired from the military.

Cockerham said Nance has no criminal history, no drug or alcohol problem and is missing school while sitting in the Harford County Detention Center.

"This is his first altercation ever," Cockerham said, adding he has no juvenile record.

Nance's mother was tearful and addressed the judge about the situation.

After Buck outlined the details surrounding the arrest, she asked District Court Judge Susan Hazlett to increase the bail from $75,000 initially set by the commissioner.

Hazlett granted state's request and increased bail to $100,000. She also added as a condition of release that Nance have no contact with the victim.

The public defender's office filed a petition of reverse waiver and the judge signed an order to allow a study of the case.