By: Melanie Posey
Attorneys representing the three teens accused of shooting and killing five men in Ensley in court today discussing several topics, including efforts to have the teens tried as juveniles.
None of the three defendants, Rashad Stoves, 17, Reginald Mims, 16, and Artavius Underwood, 16, were in court today for the brief proceedings.
Attorneys for all three teens have filed applications for youthful offender status due to the fact that they were under 21 at the time of the alleged crime.
“Everyone under who’s charged who falls under the age of 21 has the right to file an application for youthful offender. The courts have held that it’s their right and those rights can’t be waived,” Wendell Sheffield, attorney for Stoves, said.
If the teens are tried as youthful offenders, their punishment could be less severe and it would also limit some information that is made public during this case. Those requests will be considered by Judge Stephen Wallace during a hearing set for Nov. 14.
Judge Wallace denied a request by attorneys to dismiss capital murder charges earlier this month against the teens on the grounds of their ages and because – according to attorneys – the decision is unconstitutional based on Alabama statutes.
Attorneys for Rashad Stoves have filed an appeal on Wallace’s denial. Mims’ attorneys said they would file the same paperwork and Underwood’s attorneys are discussing the same option.
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