“I can’t remember any other 14-years-olds that we have bound over,” Clevenger said, noting the minimum age was lowered from 15 in 2001.
Ramirez is accused of sexually assaulting, beating and robbing a 64-year-old Liberty Twp. woman in her home in the early morning hours of Jan. 11.
Butler County Juvenile Court Judge Ronald Craft said Friday his decision to bind the case over to adult court was based largely on his reportedly low chance of successful treatment, and concerns about community safety.
Ramirez, a Monroe student, was transferred from juvenile detention to the county jail, where the judge set his bond at $1.1 million.
Had his case remained in juvenile court, Ramirez could have been released at age 21. In adult court, he faces a sentence of 14 to 48 years, Craft said.
The Liberty Twp. woman’s two sons — one wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the words “NO MERCY!” — said they hope the decision forces Ramirez to understand the severity of his charges.
“If he was out when he was 21, what kind of message would that send to the youth of the community? What they can get away with?” said Andy Feltner.
Chris Feltner said he hopes Friday’s decision brings the first smile to his mother’s face since the attack in January. He recalled telling her about a detective’s earlier testimony that Ramirez reportedly said, “Well, I guess you have to pay the price for having a little fun.”
Her response, Feltner said: “ ‘I hope he pays a price.’ And that’s what happened today.”
Psychologist says 14-year-old is 'fixated' on bloodshed and has little hope of rehabilitation
Testimony in the case of Alex Ramirez Friday, March 19, focused on whether the 14-year-old boy is beyond help.
Ramirez, described during the proceedings by his attorney as a Mexican national, is accused of robbing and sexually assaulting a 64-year-old woman. Friday’s hearing was to determine whether to bind his case over to adult court — more punitive than the treatment-focused juvenile system — and that’s what the judge ordered.
Testimony Friday came from a forensic psychologist and local pediatrician on his chances of being rehabilitated in the juvenile justice system.
Dr. Kim Stookey, a forensic psychologist, testified that she met with Ramirez for more than an hour and subjected him to multiple tests.
She described his family environment as rife with alcohol and abuse. “He doesn’t like to speak with him (his father) when he’s sober, because he tends to be more irritable,” Stookey said.
She said during interviews Ramirez seemed “fixated” on the sight of blood — possibly even aroused by it.
Prosecutors gave details about his behavior during his two months at the juvenile detention facility. They described him yelling out, singing, sexually gratifying himself in public and clogging the toilet in his cell.
Stookey diagnosed him as a high-risk sex offender with substance abuse and personality disorders. His chance of rehabilitation is low, she said, and recommended he be tried as an adult.
Dr. Robert Lerer, a local pediatrician who also is Butler County’s health commissioner, testified that his condition is treatable.
Assistant County Prosecutor Mike Hon pointed to the testimony as proof the boy is beyond help, and needs to be locked up for longer than the juvenile system would allow, should he be convicted as charged.
“If he were to be kept here it would be a waste of resources for the juvenile system, and also a safety issue for the community,” Hon said.
“I don’t believe it’s a waste of resources to try to rehabilitate a 14-year-old,” countered defense attorney Traci Combs-Valerio. If he goes into the adult system, she said, “He’s going to be a product of that system with no treatment, with no help.”
Juvenile Judge Ronald Craft sided with the prosecution, ordering the case bound over to adult court and setting bond at $1.1 million.
“There could be an argument there is not time to rehabilitate the child until age 21,” Craft said. “This case isn’t all about Mr. Ramirez. It’s about public safety, and what happened to Ms. (Phyllis) Mays here.”
Family of Phyllis Mays — who has agreed to be identified — previously testified she has lost her will to live and is struggling to just to eat and drink since the attack inside her home in January.
“All she wants to do is sit and stare out a window,” son Andy Feltner said in court on March 8.
According to Butler County sheriff’s detectives, the woman was attacked Jan. 11 after the 14-year-old Monroe student — armed with what was described Friday as a “pellet rifle” — entered her residence at Countryside Mobile Home Community in Liberty Twp. Authorities said the youth demanded money, hit the woman in the head and raped her before forcing her to drive to an ATM.
The defendant is charged with felonious assault, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, kidnapping and rape.
Staff Writer Lauren Pack contributed to this report.
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