Prosecutors Aim to Try Teens as Adults
Prosecutors inside a juvenile court announced their intention to try two 16-year-olds as adults in connection with the murder of 29-year-old Alexa Stakely. The preliminary report indicates a significant level of callousness regarding the victim’s life.
Incident Details
Alexa Stakely, a young mother, was killed on July 11th after being thrown from her car, which was stolen while her young son was in the backseat.
Suspect Admission
A 16-year-old boy and his parents went to police headquarters, admitting he and two acquaintances were looking to steal a car in southeast Columbus. They found Stakely’s car running in a parking lot. The teen admitted to stealing the car and panicked, which led to Stakely being struck.
Arrests and Charges
Three suspects were identified by police, leading to the arrest of a 16-year-old boy and his two acquaintances. By Wednesday night, all suspects were in custody. The only adult charged, 19-year-old Gerald Dowling Jr., has been held on a $10 million bond. Dowling did not appear in court, nor did the two 16-year-olds.
Juveniles’ Background
The two 16-year-olds attended Canal Winchester schools, where Stakely worked as a speech pathologist. Both had no prior criminal records and were ordered to remain in the County Juvenile Intervention Center. It is noted that going from no prior record to a murder charge is a very rare occurrence.
