Prosecutor files petition to try teen as adult in January fatalities
by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor
A16-year-old male teen from Indian River was in the Family Division of 53rd Circuit Court Monday, answering to three counts of homicide/manslaughter with a motor vehicle.
The teen is accused of being at fault in a two-vehicle head-on crash in North Allis Township January 26, which caused the death of Deb Stuifbergen, 51, and her two adult children, Nick Stuifbergen, 23, and Leann Shoulders, 27.
A six-month investigation led to Presque Isle County prosecutor Rick Steiger filing a petition July 29 containing the three counts. He also filed an additional petition to wave the juvenile court jurisdiction and have the young man tried as an adult in general criminal court. Homicide/manslaughter with a motor vehicle is a 15-year felony.
?IN ORDER for that to occur the judge will have to hold two hearings,? said Steiger. ?He?ll have to hold a probable cause hearing and then hold an additional hearing in which the court will consider whether or not it is in the best interest of society and the juvenile to try him as an adult.?
The defendant appeared in court dressed in a white dress shirt and tie, answered probate Judge Donald McLennan?s questions that he understood the crimes he has been
McLennan told the teen that he has the presumption of innocence even though he faces serious counts from the prosecutor?s office. Defense attorney Joe Kwiatkowski told McLennan his client would deny all the charges. The probable cause hearing was scheduled for August 25 at 2 p.m.
The only special request from Steiger was he not drive. ?This case is based on the reckless operation of a motor vehicle?. Mr. (teen?s name) has a reputation for not being careful in the operation of a motor vehicle.?
?I can?t admit he hasn?t been careful in the past,? responded Kwiatkowski, ?but I will tell you this, he and his parents, after this horrible tragedy occurred, agreed to surrender his license. He hasn?t driven and doesn?t intend to.?