15 Year Old Murder Suspect Is Not Released
A teenage murder suspect is staying put and the Cole County detention hearing was waived by the suspect’s attorney. The teenager, who hasn’t been identified by name or gender, will stay at the Prenger Family Center for the murder of 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten of St. Martins. The hearing was to determine if the suspect should be allowed to go home until the certification hearing next month. The teenager, who’s charged with first degree murder, will remain in juvenile custody while a judge decides whether the case should be tried in adult court. But Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem took the opportunity to hear arguments on whether the public should be allowed at the Nov. 18th hearing. It’s at that time that the judge will decide if the suspect should remain in the juvenile system or stand trial as an adult. The suspect’s attorney, Kurt Valentine, says if the media is allowed in the Nov. 18th certification hearing, then his client’s name will be publicized and he didn’t feel the teenager could get a fair trial. Beetem made no ruling about opening up the Nov. 18th hearing.