kstephens@altoonamirror.com
HOLLIDAYSBURG A Blair County judge has ruled that first-degree murder and related criminal charges pending against a 17-year-old Altoonan will remain in adult court.
President Judge Elizabeth Doyle recently denied a request on behalf of Owen Scott Southerland, who petitioned the court to have the criminal charges filed against him addressed in juvenile court.
The judge, in making her ruling, said she considered “the totality of the factors” to be weighed in evaluating Southerland’s petition, without greater or lesser weight to any specific factor.
“In conclusion, the defendant has not met his burden of proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, that transfer to the juvenile court system best serves the public interest and/or that he is amenable to treatment,” the judge wrote.