FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) — A Lauderdale County Judge announced Tuesday that a teenager indicted for his role in the death of a 13-year-old in March has been denied youthful offender status.
Cameron Phinizee was indicted in July for murder, after 13-year-old Ryland Calvert was shot and killed during what investigators say was a planned robbery in March. District Attorney Chris Connelly says Phinizee and Calvert planned the robbery, and Calvert robbed the victim.
A Lauderdale County Judge denied Phinizee youthful offender status on Tuesday.
Calvert’s grandmother, Shari Riley, testified, saying that because of Phinizee’s actions, Calvert didn’t return home.
Calvert’s great aunt, Glory Michael, also said that Phinizee is the reason why Calvert is not with them today and that he never had permission to take Calvert from the home. She also said Phinizee made an adult decision that day and should be held accountable as an adult.
Connelly said the defendant, Phinizee, acted in adult behavior and deserves to be tried as an adult.
Phinizee’s attorney, Tony Hughes, stated that Phinizee is not a criminal because the teen has two citations against him, which are traffic tickets. Those who know Phinizee also testified at the hearing, saying that he is a kid who made a mistake and that the youthful offender status would help him prove himself.
In March, the Florence Police Department said officers responded to reports of a shooting at Southern Oaks Village Apartments on Hermitage Drive. FPD said that officers located a dead juvenile in the parking lot, later identified as Calvert.
“During the investigation, it was learned that the deceased juvenile and another juvenile planned to rob the other party involved,” FPD said. “Florence Police Department Detectives worked into the early morning hours, serving search warrants in Franklin County and Colbert County with the assistance of the Florence/Lauderdale SWAT Team.”
On July 22, Connelly said a grand jury had been asked to determine whether the shooter in the incident should be criminally charged and also if Phinizee was to be held legally responsible for Calvert’s death.
Connelly said the grand jury heard from 17 witnesses and decided that the shooter, who is unnamed, acted in self-defense and will not be charged.
The grand jury also found that Phinizee is legally responsible for Calvert’s death, and he was indicted for felony murder. He will also be tried as an adult, officials say. Following the indictment, Phinizee filed for youthful offender status.
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