The teenager accused of shooting and killing a fellow student at Lamar High School in March will be tried as a juvenile, a Tarrant County judge ruled Friday.
The 15-year-old boy, whose name KERA News is withholding because he is a minor, was charged with capital murder in connection with the death of 16-year-old Ja'Shawn Poirier on March 20.
According to police and prosecutors, video from the scene shows Poirier and a female student sitting on the front steps of the Arlington high school when a shooter approached, pulled a gun from his backpack and opened fire.
Prosecutors said after the shooting the teen told his doctors he saw two people who looked like students who’d sexually assaulted him in a school bathroom in October 2022. That’s when he allegedly opened fire, they said.
The teen has been detained in a Tarrant County juvenile detention center since his arrest under the jurisdiction of 323rd District Court Judge Alex Kim.
Kim said his decision to keep the suspect's case in juvenile court was based on his own philosophy of youth rehabilitation.
"Even in cases involving the most heinous crimes, it is crucial to recognize that age plays a significant role in the potential for rehabilitation," Kim said. "Providing comprehensive rehabilitative programs, mental health support, educational opportunities and counseling can contribute to addressing the underlying issues and preventing future harm."
The teen now faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted of capital murder — compared to life in prison if he was tried as an adult — and up to 20 years for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Lisa Herrick, the teen's attorney, said this is the decision they were hoping for.
"Not only will we receive a trial much quicker than we would if his case were transferred downtown to the adult court, but we fully believe that all the options available in the juvenile court are going to be more appropriate and more beneficial," Herrick said.
The boy’s trial is set for Aug. 21.
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