FAYETTEVILLE -- An 18-year-old Springdale teen charged with attempted capital murder related to a shooting near Springdale High School last summer is asking for his case to be transferred to juvenile court.
Cristofer Nicasio is charged as an adult in Washington County Circuit Court because prosecutors believe he intended to kill the victim, said Matt Durrett, Washington County prosecutor. Nicasio was 17 at the time of the shooting and turned 18 21 days ago. He pleaded not guilty in September.
Nicasio's attorney, Daniel Feild , argued in a motion filed Tuesday there's a likelihood of rehabilitation through juvenile court alternatives. Juvenile court could maintain jurisdiction until Nicasio is 21.
Circuit Judge Joanna Taylor set a hearing on the transfer to juvenile court for May 19.
The shooting happened about 4:13 p.m. Aug. 19 about a block from the school. A 16-year-old was shot three times. Nicasio was arrested in Lowell later the same day.
Nicasio and the victim were Springdale High School students, police said. Both told police the shooting stemmed from an incident at school, according to the police report.
Police characterized the shooting as gang-related. Two gangs called Brown Pride Midgets and TLS were involved in the shooting, according to police. They believe TLS stands for Termite Loco Savage.
The .22-caliber handgun used was stolen from Siloam Springs and recovered by Springdale police.
Doctors at the State Hospital found Nicasio mentally fit to stand trial. They found he didn't suffer from a mental disease or defect and he has the capacity to understand the proceedings against him and assist in his own defense.
Nicasio remains in custody at the Washington County Juvenile Detention Center.
NW News on 04/27/2016