CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) -
Two 15-year old suspects in the brutal beating of an 88-year old woman have both been charged with capital murder. However, one of the two will not stand trial as an adult.
Because the judge in this case issued a gag order, information has been limited, but a source close to the case said there are five key points why one of the teens will not be tried as an adult.
Those points include:
1. The juvenile was not a habitual offender.
2. If found guilty, the juvenile system can sentence the offender to up to 40 years.
3. That the juvenile could not deal with the adult prison system due to his level of maturity.
4. That the public can still be protected if the offender remains in the juvenile system.
5. Keeping the teen in the juvenile system will provide for a speedier trial.
The victim, Christina Arades Naranjo, was brutally attacked in her home on the 200 block of Tancahua in January of this year. Police said two 15-year old boys attacked and robbed Naranjo. She had been stabbed several times.
Juvenile Justice Court Judge Brent Chesney ordered that a trial for the teen be set for sometime in November, and ordered that the gag order continue to be enforced.
As far as the second suspect in this case, a certification hearing has not be held.
