A 12-year-old youngster will stand trial as an adult for murder in the “gang-related” killings of three teens.
Christoper Atkins, 12, is facing one count of first-degree murder, while Robert Robinson, 17, and Tahj Brewton, 16, have been charged with three charges.
Layla Silvernail, Camille Quarles, and Michael Hodo Jr., all 16, were found shot and dumped in various areas in rural Ocklawaha, Florida, US.
The indictments were announced on Tuesday by William Gladson, State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit.
He said: “All three defendants will be charged as adults in Marion County Circuit Court.
“Layla Silvernail was discovered lying unconscious near a dumpster on March 30 after being shot in the head,” said a release from Gladson’s office, which added new details of the horror. “She was transported to the hospital and died from her injuries.
“Michael Hodo Jr. was found dead the following morning on the side of the road with a gunshot wound to the back of the head.
“Camille Quarles was found dead in the trunk of Layla Silvernail’s vehicle on April 1. Quarles had been shot two times and murdered while in the trunk of the vehicle.”Atkins, Roinson and Brewton are also facing charges of robbery with a firearm and tampering with physical evidence.
They are all currently held on no bond in Marion County Jail.
Atkins will be one of the youngest children ever prosecuted as an adult with murder.
According to the Daily Mail, an arrest paperwork for Atkins includes information on 17-year-old Hodo, who was discovered on the side of a gravel road by a young girl.
The female identified as Khatia stated in the affidavit, “He was lying on his side and was wearing a black hoodie, black shirt, black pants, and black shoes.”
“He had a hoodie over his head and he had a black mask up over his face. I couldn’t see his face. You could only see his eyes.”
Sheriff Woods said: “We have nothing to say that it was any rivalry… however, each and every one of them was associated in some shape or form with a gang.
Later, Hodo’s father arrived and identified him. The father informed authorities that he last saw his kid between 6 and 6.30 p.m. on March 30.
Shortly after being detained at his house, Atkins was carried naked and shackled on a perp walk to prison. He had a stone-faced expression as he was accompanied by sheriff’s deputies.
