Henrico, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - A Henrico Circuit Court judge has reversed a lower court decision, allowing the teenage boy accused in the killing of 13-year old Lucia Bremer to be tried as an adult. Bremer was shot and killed in March as she walked with a friend near Mills Godwin High School. The boy accused, whom WRVA is choosing not to name because of his age and because he hasn't been officially charged, is now 15.
A Juvenile Court judge had ruled in November that the teen should be tried in Juvenile Court. The hearing in Circuit Court was the first time the boy's identity was revealed, and that facts about him were publicly stated. During the Thursday hearing, it was revealed that the boy's father was murdered at a young age for the boy, and that boy's mother died in front of him when he was 12. A psychologist also testified that the boy appears to suffer from unspecified mental health issues.
Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor argued in part that Circuit Court was better for the boy to be tried in because he could receive services longer for his issues. In the juvenile system, all services and detention end at age 21. Taylor also argued as a public safety matter that potentially releasing the boy at age 21 would be a risk to others.
Trial is currently scheduled for the 15-year old in July.
