Periodic Detention Hearing Held for Teens Accused of Clayton, NJ Girl's Murder
By David Madden
WOODBURY, N.J. (CBS) -- Two Gloucester County teens charged in the October murder of a 12-year-old neighborhood girl were back in court today for another detention hearing.
The 15- and 17-year-old suspects have been in juvenile custody since their arrest in the strangulation death of Autumn Pasquale. Authorities say she was killed for her bicycle, her body then dumped in a recycling can behind the boys' home in Clayton (see related stories).
Prosecuters have filed motions to have the pair tried as adults, which, if granted, could put them behind bars for life if convicted.
Supporters of the victim have placed lawn signs around the Justice Center in Woodbury where the teen suspects will be tried, whether in Family Court as juveniles or in Superior Court as adults.
But this hearing is not addressing that issue. The pair are getting a mandated detention hearing, held periodically as this case proceeds.
Family Court judge Colleen Maier is also weighing a motion from several media organizations -- given public interest in the case -- asking to open what are traditionally closed-door proceedings.
