Like most boys, 13-year-old Mykel Mendes looked up to his big brother, Jordan. The two rode bikes, did yard work and hung out together.

But when it came to the family business -- a major drug ring -- Mykel did not want to share, police say.

Mykel, a seventh-grader, is accused of masterminding the slaying of his 16-year-old half-brother so he could take over the drug operation, which police say the boys inherited from their father, who is in prison for running one of the biggest cocaine rings on Cape Cod. The boys have different mothers.

Jordan was found shot, stabbed 27 times and dumped into a pit, where his body was torched. Two other suspects also are charged with murder.


Mykel’s lawyer, John Cunha, dismissed authorities’ claims.

“He loved his brother,” Cunha said. “He’s not the 13-year-old Al Capone.”

Authorities say Jordan took over after his father was imprisoned, selling OxyContin and cocaine.

Dist. Atty. Michael O’Keefe said Jordan was a “significant drug dealer.”


Mykel, according to authorities, was jealous of the money Jordan was making and wanted to take over.

Over two days in December, police say Mykel, his 20-year-old cousin Robert Vacher and 13-year-old Kevin Ribeiro stole $10,000 in cash from Jordan, killed him, poured gasoline on his body and set it on fire.

Lawyers for all of the youths deny they took part in the slaying.