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SALT LAKE CITY -- Salt Lake prosecutors are talking about why they have decided to try and get a 14-year-old boy tried as an adult for rape.
The 14-year-old is accused of raping two women at knifepoint. Deputy district attorney Patricia Cassell said they often charge or attempt to charge a 16 or 17-year-olds as adults, but it's pretty unusual to try it with a 14-year- old.
"When we filed the charges we looked at the serious nature of the charges and that's why we filed for certification," Cassell said.
She said they are especially looking at the punishment.
"It is our opinion yes that he should be locked up beyond the age of 21. These are charges where he could face up to life in prison in the adult system," Cassell said.
"There could be other experts that could come in and say, ‘he's immature or he's socially immature and he should be kept within the juvenile system,'" she said, but added that that aspect of the hearing would be up to the defense.
At a hearing next month the judge will look at all the factors, including his social and mental background.
Email:mrichards@ksl.com
