Chester juvenile case 'begins in earnest'
<span>Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker gave an update on Dec. 29 regarding the 16-year-old male Chester High School student facing charges regarding lewd and inappropriate Facebook messages to other juveniles, some as young as 10 years old.</span>
<span>The juvenile's name has not been released.</span>
<span>"I would say the case began in earnest," Walker said. "I really can't talk a whole lot. I've done a lot of checking and you are really limited to what you can say."</span>
<span>Asked once again what the juvenile is being charged with, Walker gave this response:</span>
<span>"I honestly don't know if I'll ever be able to say that," Walker said. "You are so limited in juvenile cases. I've talked to a lot of people and you just can't say anything."</span>
<span>"I know that's frustrating to the public, but in juvenile court, there's a lot of protections."</span>
<span>Speaking in generalities, Walker said the process in juvenile court cases is a public defender is usually appointed to the juvenile.</span>
<span>"Once the attorney is appointed to them, we will meet in a couple of weeks to try and find a resolution," Walker said. "If we can't find a resolution at the next court date, the next step would be an adjudicatory hearing."</span>
<span>An adjudicatory hearing is similar to a criminal trial for adults. The judge determines whether the facts stated in the petition or warrant are supported by evidence.</span>
<span>"We would have to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, but instead of being in front of a jury, we would be in front of a judge," Walker said.</span>
<span>If the judge finds the juvenile to be guilty, the case is continued so that the judge can make a disposition decision (sentencing).</span>
<span>The disposition decision is not always made immediately because the judge may require information about the juvenile's background before determining what corrective measures to take with the juvenile.</span>
<span>Through copies of Facebook messages provided to the Herald Tribune by parents of the victims, the newspaper has determined at least eight victims between the ages of 10 and 15 years old.</span>
<span>The eighth victim was confirmed during public comment at the Chester CUSD No. 139 Board of Education meeting on Dec. 18.</span>
<span>All of the victims have been male thus far.</span>
<span>"The subject of the prosecution will be one minor with multiple victims," Walker said in previous comments to the Herald Tribune.</span>
<span>At least two of of the victims received explicit photos from the juvenile and were asked to provide ones of their own. Two others were solicited for explicit photos, but did not receive one from the juvenile.</span>
<span>Of the parents involved in the case, only three have chosen to speak out publicly thus far. Four sets of parents have filed complaints with the Chester Police Department.</span>