Juvenile Girl to Be Charged as Adult for Murder of Her Mother
Posted on Nov 28, 2009 2:00pm PST
In Placerville, California, a 15 year old girl by the name of Tylar Witt was told that she would not be tried as a juvenile. Instead, an El Dorado county judge ruled that Witt would be charged as an adult for the
murder of her mother, Joanne Witt.
According to the judge, James Wagoner, Witt showed sophistication and effort while trying to cover up the murder. This led him to his decision to have Witt go through the legal system as an adult even though she is technically a minor. Wagoner said, "The court can think of no graver crime than matricide."
News sources report that Witt stabbed her mother in their El Dorado Hills home on June 11th or 12th. Her boyfriend, 19 year old Steven Colver, assisted her with the murder. The couple tried to cover up the killing by burning their clothes and fleeing to the Bay area. However, they were arrested by authorities shortly after they fled.
Judge Wagoner ordered no bail for Witt. He said that she should remain in juvenile custody until December 7th, the day of her arraignment.
Colver is currently facing the death penalty if he is convicted. On December 7th, Witt will become a co-defendant in the murder case against Colver. She faces 25 years of imprisonment if she is found guilty for matricide.
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