February 17, 2021 - The District Attorney for the County of Merced has filed a charge of Murder against the 14-year-old male arrested on February 10, 2021, in connection with the killing of Adrian Llamas in Merced.  The charges in this matter were filed in juvenile delinquency court; however, the District Attorney has petitioned the court to transfer the minor to adult criminal court.  The alleged perpetrator of the shooting remains in custody.

A major factor in the determination to seek transfer to adult court is that, under current juvenile laws, if the minor is prosecuted in juvenile court, jurisdiction over him could only last between 3 years and 5 months and 8 years and 5 months.  Our understanding of the law is that most likely the minor would be released when he turns 18.  Proposition 57, passed by the voters in 2016, removed the long-standing ability of a District Attorney directly file qualifying crimes in adult court.  Our decision today to request transfer to adult court in no way means the case will automatically be tried in adult court.  Rather, this request means the juvenile court will thoroughly assess the circumstances and render a decision in consideration of a wide range of elements.  Only then will we know if this case will ultimately be handled in juvenile or adult court.

Due to confidentiality rules surrounding the proceedings in juvenile delinquency court, no further information can be released publically at this time.
Source: County of Merced District Attorney Office