With the arrest of a 15-year-old male in the stabbing death of his stepfather Monday night in Grayson County, the question of whether the teenager will be tried as an adult or juvenile is left in the hands of a judge, with input from prosecutors.
The suspect has been charged with murder in the case, as he is accused of stabbing to death 38-year-old Timothy J. Higdon, of Leitchfield. Higdon died Monday night at University of Louisville Hospital only hours after being stabbed at a residence on Bradley Bend Road.
According to Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 640.010, 2 (a): In the case of a child alleged to be a youthful offender … the District Court shall, upon motion by the county attorney to proceed under this chapter, and after the county attorney has consulted with the Commonwealth’s attorney, conduct a preliminary hearing to determine if the child should be transferred to Circuit Court as a youthful offender.
(b) At the preliminary hearing, the court shall determine if there is probable cause to believe that an offense was committed, that the child committed the offense, and that the child is of sufficient age and has the requisite number of prior adjudications, if any, necessary to fall within the purview of KRS 635.020.
(c) If the District Court determines probable cause exists, the court shall consider the following factors before determining whether the child’s case shall be transferred to the Circuit Court:
1. The seriousness of the alleged offense;
2. Whether the offense was against persons or property, with greater
weight being given to offenses against persons;
3. The maturity of the child as determined by his environment;
4. The child’s prior record;
5. The best interest of the child and community;
6. The prospects of adequate protection of the public;
7. The likelihood of reasonable rehabilitation of the child by the use of
procedures, services, and facilities currently available to the juvenile
justice system;
8. Evidence of a child’s participation in a gang;
9. Whether the child is a defendant with a serious intellectual disability in
accordance with KRS 532.130; and
10. Whether the child used a firearm in the commission of the offense.
(d) If, following the completion of the preliminary hearing, the District Court finds, after considering the factors enumerated in paragraph (c) of this subsection, that two (2) or more of the factors specified in paragraph (c) of this subsection are determined to favor transfer, the child may be transferred to Circuit Court, and if the child is transferred the District Court shall issue an order transferring the child as a youthful offender and shall state on the record the reasons for the transfer. The child shall then be proceeded against in the Circuit Court as an adult, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
(e) If, following completion of the preliminary hearing, the District Court is of the opinion, after considering the factors enumerated in paragraph (c) of this subsection, that the child shall not be transferred to the Circuit Court, the case shall be dealt with as provided in KRS Chapter 635.
(3) If the child is transferred to Circuit Court under this section and the grand jury does not find that there is probable cause to indict the child as a youthful offender, as defined in KRS 635.020(2) to (8), but does find that there is probable cause to indict the child for another criminal offense, the child shall not be tried as a youthful offender in Circuit Court but shall be returned to District Court to be dealt with as provided in KRS Chapter 635.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
