Morgantown Native
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Hi All,
It seems there's been some interest in reading the Dominon Post article from yesterdays paper. I can see why people are confused by the semantics of the article. I've posted it below for your reference and clarity:
Arrests final in Skylar case
BY CASSIE SHANER
The Dominion Post
Records sealed on juvenile suspect in teen's murder
No additional charges are expected to be filed in the stabbing death of Skylar Neese, Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorney Marcia Ashdown said Thursday.
UPDATE
"We do not have any evidence to suggest any other involvement at this time," Ashdown said. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of West Virginia also said there was no new information for release
Thursday.
Rachel Shoaf, 16, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Wednesday in Monongalia County Circuit Court, after agreeing to transfer her case to adult status. Court documents said Shoaf stabbed Neese, causing fatal injuries, on July 6. A second juvenile was taken into custody Wednesday. Her case remains confidential, because juvenile records "are not public records and shall not be disclosed to anyone unless disclosure is otherwise authorized," according to state code. Ashdown and others, including the Neese family, have indicated the other teenager is female.
According to state code: Juvenile cases can be transferred to adult status if a teenager 14 years or older "makes a demand on the record" to do so. The court can transfer a juvenile case to adult status if, among other things, there's "probable cause" to believe a juvenile at least 14 years old has committed murder. "The burden is upon the state to establish the grounds by clear and convincing evidence" for any transfer requested by the prosecuting attorney, according to state code.
Shoaf's plea agreement said the state will recommend a sentence of 20 years of incarceration. Her attorneys John Angotti and David Straface - will recommend she be sentenced as a juvenile or receive an alternative sentence, according to the plea agreement. Angotti declined to comment Thursday. Speaking generally, Ashdown said someone sentenced as a juvenile could be incarcerated until age 21. Convicted juveniles cannot be transferred to an adult facility until they turn 18, according to state code. Shoaf was taken from Wednesday's hearing to a juvenile facility in Wheeling.
Hayden McClead, a friend of Skylar's, said the halls of University High School were buzzing with chatter about the arrests Wednesday.I was really upset," said McClead, a 17-year-old junior. "I didn't think someone that was her best friend would do that to her. I hope they get what they deserve." McClead said she had been friends with Skylar since elementary school. She knew Shoaf and the other girl she believes was arrested, because they were often around Skylar, but she wasn't close with them.
"I always thought Rachel was a good girl," McClead said. "She always talked about church and stuff. I would never think of her doing something like that."
Skylar was nice, liked to have fun and was always willing to listen, McClead said. "I miss having her to talk to," she said. "I miss working with her." Both girls worked at the Wendy's location on Venture Drive, though McClead left not long after Skylar's disappearance on the day she died.
Monongalia County Schools Superintendent Frank Devono said counselors were available to students at UHS and elsewhere Thursday who wanted to talk about Skylar's death and the arrests. Resources are available to staff through an employee assistance program.
It seems there's been some interest in reading the Dominon Post article from yesterdays paper. I can see why people are confused by the semantics of the article. I've posted it below for your reference and clarity:
Arrests final in Skylar case
BY CASSIE SHANER
The Dominion Post
Records sealed on juvenile suspect in teen's murder
No additional charges are expected to be filed in the stabbing death of Skylar Neese, Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorney Marcia Ashdown said Thursday.
UPDATE
"We do not have any evidence to suggest any other involvement at this time," Ashdown said. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of West Virginia also said there was no new information for release
Thursday.
Rachel Shoaf, 16, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Wednesday in Monongalia County Circuit Court, after agreeing to transfer her case to adult status. Court documents said Shoaf stabbed Neese, causing fatal injuries, on July 6. A second juvenile was taken into custody Wednesday. Her case remains confidential, because juvenile records "are not public records and shall not be disclosed to anyone unless disclosure is otherwise authorized," according to state code. Ashdown and others, including the Neese family, have indicated the other teenager is female.
According to state code: Juvenile cases can be transferred to adult status if a teenager 14 years or older "makes a demand on the record" to do so. The court can transfer a juvenile case to adult status if, among other things, there's "probable cause" to believe a juvenile at least 14 years old has committed murder. "The burden is upon the state to establish the grounds by clear and convincing evidence" for any transfer requested by the prosecuting attorney, according to state code.
Shoaf's plea agreement said the state will recommend a sentence of 20 years of incarceration. Her attorneys John Angotti and David Straface - will recommend she be sentenced as a juvenile or receive an alternative sentence, according to the plea agreement. Angotti declined to comment Thursday. Speaking generally, Ashdown said someone sentenced as a juvenile could be incarcerated until age 21. Convicted juveniles cannot be transferred to an adult facility until they turn 18, according to state code. Shoaf was taken from Wednesday's hearing to a juvenile facility in Wheeling.
Hayden McClead, a friend of Skylar's, said the halls of University High School were buzzing with chatter about the arrests Wednesday.I was really upset," said McClead, a 17-year-old junior. "I didn't think someone that was her best friend would do that to her. I hope they get what they deserve." McClead said she had been friends with Skylar since elementary school. She knew Shoaf and the other girl she believes was arrested, because they were often around Skylar, but she wasn't close with them.
"I always thought Rachel was a good girl," McClead said. "She always talked about church and stuff. I would never think of her doing something like that."
Skylar was nice, liked to have fun and was always willing to listen, McClead said. "I miss having her to talk to," she said. "I miss working with her." Both girls worked at the Wendy's location on Venture Drive, though McClead left not long after Skylar's disappearance on the day she died.
Monongalia County Schools Superintendent Frank Devono said counselors were available to students at UHS and elsewhere Thursday who wanted to talk about Skylar's death and the arrests. Resources are available to staff through an employee assistance program.
those girls must have been so thrilled that LE insisted she was a runaway. That makes me sick to think about. Am I wrong for wanting to see a brief video clip of them slumming it in their cells? Maybe they can be pen pals.