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Maine Court Moves Ahead With Hearing on Trying Teen as Adult in Sunshine Stewart Killing

A court-ordered mental-health exam will guide the judge's decision on whether to keep the case in juvenile court or transfer it to adult court.

Overview

  • The case, which held a scheduling conference Thursday, will proceed to a bind-over hearing to decide if Deven Young is tried as an adult.
  • State forensic specialists will evaluate Young next, with the prosecution estimating about six weeks for a report before a defense expert conducts a second review.
  • The transfer hearing is months away, with the earliest target in August and the judge noting September is possible based on when evaluations finish.
  • Young, 18, appeared by Zoom from Long Creek Youth Development Center after an April 29 ruling found him competent to stand trial, which reopened proceedings to the public.
  • The stakes are stark, as an adult conviction carries at least 25 years in prison, while a juvenile outcome would cap confinement at about three years.