(St. Joseph County, IN) - A possible murder trial for a New Carlisle teenager has been put on hold until the court can rule on his mental state. A hearing was held Thursday morning for a 14-year-old boy who is accused of molesting and strangling to death 6-year-old Grace Ross on March 12.
According to documents obtained by the South Bend Tribune, the boy told police that the little girl followed him into woods behind their apartment complex. There, he claimed, a “shadowy man” made him commit the crime.
Prosecutors are looking to try the boy in adult court. At Thursday’s hearing, a judge ordered further psychological evaluation. The boy’s competency to stand trial should be determined by July, with a possible trial to follow in August.
