The teenager accused of killing a 10-year-old Western Wisconsin girl will be tried in adult court after a decision handed down by the Wisconsin Appeals Court.
10-year old Lily Peters was reported missing the night of April 24, 2022. The next morning her body was discovered in the woods close to her home in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
Prosecutors say she suffered strangulation, blunt force trauma and was sexually assaulted.
Police arrested a 14-year old who has not been identified because he's a minor. He was charged with first-degree intentional homicide, sexual assault causing great bodily harm and child sexual assault.
The boy's lawyer petitioned to have him tried in juvenile court in 2023 stating he would receive better treatment, but that was denied in January.
Prosecutors have argued that trying him in juvenile court would diminish the severity of the case.
Defense lawyers appealed and lost and the teenager will be tried as an adult. They could still petition the Wisconsin State Supreme Court to review the case. The teen faces a mandatory life sentence if he's convicted on the homicide charge.