Judge to decide whether to certify juvenile in Facebook Marketplace shooting next week
Jazsmin Halliburton
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Boone County judge is still considering whether to certify a juvenile charged in connection with the deadly shooting in a Facebook Market meet-up after hearing testimony on Wednesday morning.
A 17-year-old faces charges including second-degree murder, robbery, stealing and armed criminal action in connection with the death of Michael Ryan Burke in January.
Colleen McMahon, the teen’s attorney, brought in a handful of witnesses to testify on behalf of the youth’s character. After hearing hours of testimony, the judge decided not to issue a decision Wednesday, but to wait until all parties are back in court on Tuesday at 9 a.m.
McMahon is asking the judge to consider her client’s personality and three mental disorders when deciding whether to certify him. She argues he could still utilize the rehabilitation services in the Division of Youth Services.
McMahon also said there isn’t probable cause that points her client as the person who killed Burke.
Matt Puthukulam, an attorney for the juvenile office, argues the crimes the teen is charged with are too dangerous for him to be tried in juvenile court.
Puthukulam also brought up that the teen turns 18-years-old this summer, which could age him out of the juvenile system.
The meeting between Burke and the group was arranged in the 1400 block of Ridgemont Ct. through Facebook Marketplace to sell a phone, according to court documents.
Alexis Baumann, Kobe Aust and Joseph Crane are also facing charges in the case. Baumann’s bond was lowered and she was eventually released from jail.
Court documents state that Baumann allegedly told police the juvenile shot Burke and then sold the phone at a kiosk at the Walmart on Conley Road.
The group had reportedly stolen phones from two other victims two days before the shooting. Security video and information provided by Facebook were used to connect the group to the crimes.